London,Feb 07: Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier says the club will consider giving Stephane Henchoz a new contract. The Swiss defender revealed earlier this week that he wants to see out his career at Liverpool.
Henchoz has only recently returned to the team and is adamant he wants to retire at the club, although he admits nothing has been discussed.

"I am pleased he wants to stay and in due time we will look at that," Houllier admitted.

Houllier claimed the club would be in the Champions League if Henchoz had not been injured for the final three months of last season.

"It is no coincidence that Stephane missed a large part of last season and we finished three points short of the Champions League," Houllier said.

"This season he was also injured when playing for his country but he has just come back to the team recently. He is getting stronger and stronger and is now getting back to his best."

Henchoz also insisted Liverpool are a better side than Manchester United: "When each player is on top form I would say we are superior to United."
Last season Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League, while United won the Premiership title.

This season Gerard Houllier's side have fared little better - Liverpool are fifth, 19 points behind United.

"I feel that if you were to take each player individually and compare them with Manchester United's, then, I'm sorry, I do not think we are any worse than them," the 29-year-old told the club's LFC magazine.

"If you were then to take four players from the bench, I would still have the same impression.

"You should realise that I am talking about players being at the top of their form, because I have seen our players at the top of their form.

"That is why I do not understand the last season and a half. It is possible that we have not had all 11 players playing at their peak." Bureau Report