LIVERPOOL boss Gerard Houllier launched an astonishing attack on Rovers boss Graeme Souness as the row surrounding Lucas Neill threatened to spiral out of control.

Souness and Neill both went before TV cameras yesterday to make heart-felt apologies for the Aussie's tackle which led to Jamie Carrgher breaking his leg in Saturday's game at Ewood.

However, Houllier is refusing to let the matter drop and he responded with a stinging rebuke this morning in which he branded Souness's attempts to heal the rift as 'pathetic.'

"Jamie Carragher was injured at 3.10pm on Saturday and the apology came 48 hours later," whinged the furious Frenchman.

"It was absolutely pathetic and if anyone thinks I'm going to give up on this then they're wrong.

"I may not have played at the highest level but I've managed at the top for longer than Graeme Souness.

"I can tell you it's not often you get a game where two players suffer broken legs after 15 minutes.

"These comments about not playing at the top are obviously directed at me.

"I see Graeme said with his hand on heart that there was no intent but look at the photographs. That was a tackle which was meant.

"Maybe Graeme Souness is a good manager but he should put aside his bad feeling for Liverpool.

"Of course I understand these things happen but what is unacceptable is the lack of grace and dignity.

"I notice the TV cameras went to Blackburn yesterday and not here and it's us who have two players with broken legs.

"To be directing criticism at me and blaming me for the upset is wrong.

"Jamie Carragher has a broken leg and is distraught. The apology should have been immediate."

Souness chose not to make any further comment this morning when we informed him of Houllier's latest outburst.

But the remarks he made yesterday in regard to the incident had clearly got under his Liverpool counterpart's skin.

"You would have to have played the game to realise that these kind of things happen," said Souness.

"It was reckless, but in football at this level tackles can be mis-timed and misjudged. In no way is Lucas Neill a dirty player. He had no intent to injure Jamie Carragher."

Those thoughts have also been echoed by PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, who has blasted Houllier for his outspoken views in regard to the incident.

"I was at the game on Saturday and when I first saw it I thought it was a good block tackle," said Taylor.

"It was only when I saw it again on television later that it looked slightly reckless but, personally speaking, I'm very disappointed with the comments of Gerard Houllier.

"I know Lucas Neill very well and he's not a vindictive or malicious player. I've always found him to be an honest defender and the comments made by Gerard Houllier are simply adding fuel to the flames.

"The two injuries were extremely unfortunate but I would stake my life on the fact that there wasn't any intent at all on Lucas's part.

"I've never met a player who has deliberately tried to hurt anyone else and if I had then I'd put Lucas Neill at the back of that queue.

"It's unfortunate what has happened to Jamie because he's a smashing lad.

"But it doesn't help the situation to say some of the things which have been said because there will be times when one of Gerard's lads may have perpetrated what seems a foul and he may then be on the receiving end of such criticism.

"I've a lot of respect for Gerard Houllier but I think it would have been to his credit not to accuse one of our members in such terms."

Taylor has already complained to the League Managers Association about Houllier's comments.

"Players shouldn't have to put up with that after games," added Taylor.