Gerard Houllier has given Terry Venables' Middlesbrough rescue act his seal of approval.

The former French boss understands why the ex-England coach has adopted an ultra-defensive approach.

Liverpool have lost only one League game since early December - at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day - so Boro travel to Anfield today aiming for an unlikely Premiership double over Houllier's side.

Houllier, who claims the next seven days will shape Liverpool's season, said: ''Middlesbrough haven't lost in their last seven games and it seems that Terry's partnership with Bryan Robson is going very well.''

The one criticism of the Venables era is that Boro, who have conceded just two goals in those seven games, have become defensive bores.

''When Terry took over the team needed points, they needed some gritty performances,'' said Houllier.

''When you take over a team that is going through a crisis you must firstly instil confidence and that means focusing on the defence.

''Then, when you have got that right, you can move to the second stage and that means injecting quality into your play. The third stage, which Boro haven't reached yet, is to be able to take risks going forward.

''Nobody could have done better, that is the way to handle a crisis. Their defending has been very good and with more confidence they will do even better. They are out of the bottom three already.''

Houllier believes Liverpool can start a crucial week by bringing Boro's unbeaten run to an end.

''They will lose sometime, let's hope it's at Anfield,'' he said.

Liverpool face a Worthington Cup semi-final second leg at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday and an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Leeds next Saturday, and Houllier said: ''This is a vital time for our season. We are in three competitions in a week and every game is crucial to our season.

''If we can be successful in the three games I believe our season will go from strength to strength. I feel our team will grow better and stronger in the last half of the season.''

Liverpool will be without suspended Igor Biscan, although Finnish star Jari Litmanen is likely to make his full home debut after a starring role in last week's 3-0 win at Aston Villa.

Houllier is delighted with the feel-good factor that has emerged from that fine display, and equally happy that current skipper Sami Hyypia has signed an extension to his contract that will keep him at the club until 2005.

Hyypia has been a huge success in his 18 months at the club. Houllier said: ''There is always a question mark about a new foreign player coming into the country, but he did very well last season and keeps improving.