ENGLISH FA CUP/Yeovil Town v Liverpool: Michael Owen is the most likely candidate to relieve the pressure on Gerard Houllier and kill off yet another barrage of speculation about the Frenchman's future.
The Liverpool boss, just 24 hours before a potential banana skin of an FA Cup third-round tie at Yeovil, has had to endure yet again being told that Celtic's Martin O'Neill will have his job by the summer.
But Houllier admitted he has been joking with his players about the claims while assessing whether Owen can return to the side after three months of injury nightmare.
And in the knowledge that everybody, barring Liverpool fans, will be willing the Third Division side to yet another giant killing, Houllier insisted speculation about his own future in charge of Anfield does not upset his players or distract them.
He said: "The players are like me now, they just do not care what is being said. It made me laugh, it is not a new story. But it is not unsettling, it just does not affect us.
"The players just ignore it, but I joke with them about it all. I'm quite relaxed and confident, it is nothing new. But it's not about me, it's about the club. The club is more important than me, that's all that matters."
Defeat at Yeovil would do nothing to aid Houllier's cause, and would certainly increase calls for his head. He knows that, but is still confident enough about his future and his chairman David Moores's support to be planning long-term for all of 2004.
With French star Djibril Cisse confirming he still intends to join Liverpool in the summer, Houllier is planning a reassuring speech on Monday night at the club's a.g.m.
To go into that without the expected victory at Yeovil would be unthinkable for the Frenchman.
He said: "My aims for 2004 are to win a trophy, which is what this club is all about, and to improve our position in the league, which we need to do, and that means Champions League.
"We will keep the team progressing, we will refresh it at times, and we have got targets to go for. I do not intend asking the chairman for any money in the transfer window, I'm happy with my squad."
One thing he'll hope to do is keep Owen fit; three months without England's number one striker has weakened Liverpool considerably.
Houllier says: "There has been a lot said and written about this tie with Yeovil, and it is because of the competition and its image.
"Michael will travel, which means he is ready to play. The final decision will come at the last minute. It is great for us. Michael has been out since October 4th and that's a long time.
"He's back, that's all I can say. We've missed him. Ask Arsenal if they could play three months without Thierry Henry, or Manchester United without Ruud van Nistelrooy not just for a couple of games, but three months."
Liverpool will be without skipper Steven Gerrard and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland after Christmas injuries, but the rest of their injured stars are all approaching fitness.
Liverpool know Yeovil will play like men inspired in front of the TV cameras, but they are just a little upset by the boisterous words coming from Yeovil manager Gary Johnson and his players.
Houllier would only say: "Our players respect the opposition more than the opposition respect us at the moment. Respect is one of our most important values, whatever team we play.
"Whether it is in Europe or England we always give give our opponents the respect they deserve.
"I understand why there is a fuss about this game, but my players will be up for it physically and mentally."
Yeovil are without suspended striker Jake Edwards following his dismissal in the 1-0 derby win at Bristol Rovers but are boosted by the return of inspirational midfielder Darren Way, who has overcome a stress fracture in his leg and appeared as a substitute in the 3-2 league defeat at Swansea.
