Diouf will not face Celtic

The Senegal man caused a furore at Parkhead last Thursday when caught on camera spitting into the crowd during the first leg of Liverpool`s Uefa Cup clash with Celtic.

Diouf issued an apology and was promptly fined by The Reds, shortly after Uefa launched an investigation into the unsavoury incident.

The fine will go to a charity of Celtic`s choice, as The Reds aim to keep relations between the two clubs cordial.

Houllier feels it would be sensible to keep Diouf out of the spotlight for Thursday`s second leg.

The Frenchman said: "We need to wait for the Uefa decision to see what happens, because they asked for a video, but I don`t think he will play anyway." 

Houllier also expressed anger at the conduct of Spurs goalscorer Mauricio Taricco, as he believes the Argentine tried to bait Diouf throughout the first-half.

"I got a bit angry because in the first-half, whether it was on purpose or not, Taricco looked as if he wanted to have him sent off, but fortunately the referee spotted it," said Houllier.

"I thought it was not a nice thing for a fellow footballer to do and that is why I had a word and asked them to do something at half-time."

Houllier`s Tottenham counterpart Glenn Hoddle hit back at the Frenchman, saying: "That is absolute rubbish and I don't know where he is coming from. We never even spoke about Diouf - so I don't know why he is accusing anyone.

"For him to attack our player in the tunnel verbally, I don't think that is on. I didn't see anything wrong."