Gerard Houllier is the man to lead Liverpool to a premier league title despite another season spent in the shadow of Arsenal and Manchester United, the club's chief executive said today.
A dreadful run of mid-season results ended Liverpool's chances of winning the title for the first time in 13 years and Champions League qualification also looks beyond them as they languish in sixth place.
But chief executive Rick Parry insists patience has not run out with the Frenchman, who has another two years remaining on his current contract.
"Gerard has not let us down and we're convinced we're going in the right direction," Parry told the Liverpool Daily Post.
"The one (title) that matters, of course, is the premier league. That's the one we really want to win and then afterwards we'll think about the Champions League.
"That's what drives us on and we'll get there one day."
Houllier was heavily criticised this season when his side went 10 league games without a win between November and January.
But victory over Manchester United in the League Cup final lifted the gloom and three points in the Merseyside derby on Saturday would take them above rivals Everton into fifth place.
"Whether to keep faith (with Houllier) or not wasn't a decision to take - it never entered our heads," said Parry.
"We remain convinced that Gerard has done a tremendous job for the club and Liverpool is not about knee-jerk reactions to short-term difficulties."