Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Monday jumped to the defense of countryman Gerard Houllier, who may struggle to keep his job at Liverpool after Sunday's FA Cup loss to Portsmouth.

　　Liverpool tumbled 0-1 at Fratton Park after being held 1-1 at Anfield by Pompey and tossing away a home quarterfinal against the Gunners.

　　Houllier's team is now 26 points behind Arsenal in the league. Former Liverpool stars are calling for his head, but fellow Frenchman Wenger offered his support.

　　"Who would love to see their friend victimized, so of course I feel sympathy for him," Wenger said. "I know how fragile it is. His team has been really unlucky this year and, like always when things don't go for you, then you get the stick."

　　Wenger called on Liverpool owners to have faith in Houllier, who has been in charge since 1998. "It shows the strength of a club that when things don't go well everyone is still behind you," Wenger said. "Then it is down to the board to support the manager."

　　Liverpool won the last of its record 18 league titles 14 years ago and Houllier, brought in to bring the championship back, is being looked on as a failure.

　　Gone is the attacking, flowing style created by Bill Shankly and carried on by Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish.

　　"For years Liverpool fans have been proud of their teams, who played attacking football with fire and aggression," said former Liverpool star Ian St John, who scored 118 goals in 426 appearances for the club over 10 years.

　　"But fans now don't get turned on by his team. They sit there like zombies and boo them off at the end. The fans are so disgusted and I think if there was a change (of manager) tomorrow they'd be happy."

　　Liverpool now has the UEFA Cup as its only trophy target, with Houllier's men hosting Levski Sofia tomorrow for a berth in the quarterfinals.

　　What could also save Houllier is gaining fourth place in the Premier League, which would clinch a place in the Champions League.

　　That seems achievable with Houllier's team in sixth place with three points to make up on Newcastle.

　　(Reuters)