Houllier walks alone

'Liverpool fan'
Houllier said: "I arrived here six years ago as a Liverpool supporter and I leave as an even bigger supporter. I may have left Liverpool but Liverpool will not leave me. I will return to watch the team as a fan."

Strong finish
The 56-year-old Frenchman had faced mounting speculation about his future, even though his team managed to claim fourth place in the Premiership and entry to the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round with a strong finish to the English season.

Famous treble
Houllier arrived at Anfield in July 1998, initially as joint manager alongside Roy Evans, but had been in sole charge since November that year. His best campaign with the Reds was the 2000/01 season when Liverpool won a treble of UEFA Cup, FA Cup and English League Cup, followed by the UEFA Super Cup.

'Special memories'
Houllier, who won a second League Cup in 2002/03, said: "I have four special memories that I take away with me. Michael Owen scoring the winner against Arsenal [FC in the FA Cup final] with his left foot, Gary McAllister being handed the man of the match award against [Deportivo] Alavés [after the UEFA Cup final], the mosaic when I was recovering from heart surgery, and Steven Gerrard taking his daughter around the pitch on the last day of the season."

Likely lads
Celtic FC manager Martin O'Neill, Charlton Athletic FC's Alan Curbishley, José Mourinho of FC Porto and Valencia CF's Rafael Benítez have all been touted as possible replacements.