Vieira upset with Houllier

Former Gunner Anelka had looked set to join Liverpool on a permanent basis, after impressing during a loan spell at Anfield, only for Houllier instead to look at other options in the transfer market.

Manchester City are in pole position to land the Paris Saint Germain star, as previously reported on planetfootball.com, but it has been a difficult couple of weeks for the sullen striker, as he was also left out of France's World Cup squad.

"It is lacking in class," stormed Vieira. "Especially as it is from a coach who has known Nico since he was a kid.

"Frankly, if he didn't call Nicolas to tell him the news, it is tactless!

"But I am not worried for him because he is really stronger than you can think.

"I am just disappointed for the person, whom I know very well.

"I don't want people to say 'it is a great waste' because Nicolas has exceptional qualities.

"I knew him at Arsenal with a coach who understood him very well, and talked perfectly well with him.

"Arsene (Wenger) took him as he was, with his qualities and his faults.

"Of course, from the outside, people could say he left Arsenal too early, but it was for Real Madrid all the same!"