Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier admitted FA Cup defeat at Portsmouth leaves him struggling to salvage his side's season. "I know I am going to get slaughtered but I do not feel under any more pressure now," Houllier told the club's official website.
"It's not about me, it's about the team. It has been a difficult season.
"We were without Michael Owen for three months. Other things have gone against us. It's unfair to slaughter us."
Liverpool lost 1-0 to Portsmouth in the fifth-round replay at Fratton Park and Houllier said: "It's a blow, we wanted to go to Cardiff.
"Now we must focus on the Uefa Cup and trying to get fourth place in the Premiership."
Despite dominating the first game at Anfield and the replay at Fratton Park Liverpool crashed out to Richard Hughes' first goal for Portsmouth.
Liverpool's fate hinged on a controversial 62nd-minute penalty, with Pompey keeper Shaka Hislop saving Michael Owen's under-hit spot-kick.
Houllier said: "Had he scored, it would have been a different story.
"It seemed to be a repetition of what happened at Anfield, where we created enough chances to score and win the game.
"Their first chance was on 72 minutes and they scored.
"But when you're in control of the game, you should be in control of the result, and sometimes you just cannot score.
"I can't blame the players in terms of energy and football. The football was good at times but we lacked a finish.
"I think the supporters who were at the game will have seen how unlucky we were.
"Looking at the results over the two games we are not happy but looking at the performances we had the chances to win both games."
MMIX
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Gerard Houllier should walk at the end of the season and give O'Neill the chance to make us challengers
"Houllier is under severe pressure now"