Dudek let a simple Jamie Carragher header slip through his legs, which Diego Forlan pounced on for a 1-0 lead.

And the Pole will, as expected, be replaced by Chris Kirkland in Wednesday's Worthington Cup against Ipswich.

Despite dropping him, Houllier gave Dudek his full backing.

"He was very tearful after the game," said the Frenchman. "But I will tell him not to think about it and to get on with things because we will help him.

"The game is about mistakes and sometimes these things happen. Nobody will blame him. We finished second last season and that was partly down to his work and talent."

Depending on Kirkland's performance midweek, he could replace Dudek for next week's crucial Uefa Cup tie against Vitesse Arnhem.

But Carragher, whose header led to Dudek's mistake, tipped the club's number one keeper to bounce back.

He said: "Jerzy is a real man in the eyes of everyone in the side. He doesn't look for excuses.

"I think we should remember how last season he was the best goalkeeper in the Premiership and he's done a lot to sort out our goalkeeping situation after a couple of dodgy years here.

"We know we can rely on him in the future and any problems he has now won't last."

'Time for a rest'

Dudek, though, has not received backing from all corners of Anfield.

Former Liverpool stars Ronnie Whelan and Alan Hansen believe the time has come for him to be axed from the starting line-up.

Whelan said: "Maybe it's time to give him a rest."

Hansen, meanwhile, added: "It does not make him a bad keeper but it does mean he has to be dropped."