 GERARD HOULLIER ranks the overhaul of the philosophy he encountered on his arrival at Liverpool alongside the cup triumphs and European memories that followed. But the ultimate aim of his Anfield 'perestroika' was always the Premiership and Champions League titles and, for all the agonies faced by David Moores and Rick Parry in recent days, the fact Liverpool are as far away from them in 2004 as they were in 1998 means their decision to abandon the architect is the correct one. This season strengthened a considerable argument for why Houllier and Liverpool had to go their separate ways, a split that was inevitable once the board refused a public or private show of support in the face of mounting speculation over his position. In the eyes of the manager, a third Champions League ticket in five years vindicated one more chance to show his title credentials. In the eyes of most fans, nothing could banish the memo-ries of a campaign that stole the sense of anticipation and privilege from the walk to Anfield. But the events of the past season, or indeed the past two, do not explain why Houllier has departed now. Rather it is the external and internal pressure on Liverpool not to waste the rich potential still at their disposal at a point where the Premiership elite threaten to open an insurmountable gap on the club. Anfield officials need to show potential multi-million pound investors they have the vision to restore the club to the pinnacle of the English and European game, a feat that has proved beyond more Liverpool managers than simply Houllier. And they have a duty to show world class, homegrown talent like Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard they will not settle for fifth or fourth while such players remain desperate to bring the championship back to the club that made them. Despite the deafening silence that surrounded his future since Liverpool's fourth grace was secured 13 days ago Houllier refused to accept his time or his prospects were over until Moores put business before friendship at his Lake District home on Sunday. For such a dignified, intelligent man who stands by the code Liverpool exist to win trophies that stance was surprising, but after everything he has given to help revive the club he is entitled to wonder how it all went so wrong, so quickly. And just how did a man embarrassed by regular comparisons with Bill Shankly in 2001 produce such disenchantment among those same followers less than three years later? | 
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