Delighted Gerard Houllier refused to rule out Liverpool's chances of finishing as Premiership runners-up after tonight's 2-0 win over doomed Bradford sent them soaring into third spot in the table.

The Anfield side now occupy a Champions League qualification spot for the first time since March 3 - and boss Houllier is not giving up the chase of pipping Arsenal for second place.

He said: "Can we finish second? Yes, but it won't be in our own hands. It's not impossible.

"But as for third place, we know that depends entirely on what we do. If we win all our remaining three league games, we will finish third."

Houllier had seen Michael Owen score his 16th goal early in the second half, before Gary McAllister weighed in with his fifth set-piece strike in as many games.

And the Anfield boss continued: "Gary just seems to be getting younger and younger, doesn't he?"

Houllier also had kind words for relegated Bradford, adding: "They showed the quality of a Premiership side.

"Full credit to Bradford, I knew they'd play with freedom and would give their all. It is why the English game is so exciting.

"We had to search hard for the openings and Bradford pushed us very hard right to the end."

Houllier has Premiership home games against Newcastle and Chelsea before the FA and UEFA Cup finals. Their last game is at Charlton after the UEFA Cup final.

He said: "I told the boys before we played Spurs a week ago that we could only depend on ourselves.

"We do not want to wait for other results, so if we win all our last three we will know we can't be stopped.

"We have to deliver the wins, we know we can do it on our own."

Bradford boss Jim Jefferies was delighted with his doomed side's battling display.

He said: "I don't think Liverpool could complain had we got something out of that game.

"I certainly can't complain about the performance. It is the best we have played for six or seven games now.

"It took two quality finishes to beat us. The outfield play had shown little difference between the sides.

"Liverpool have beaten Barcelona and we gave them a really tough time. It gives us hope for the future."