Premiership: Houllier out of hospital soon

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier could be released from hospital within the next few days.

Houllier has been in hospital for almost three weeks after undergoing heart surgery.

But his assistant Phil Thompson says the Frenchman is improving all the time.

"Gerard is still coming along brilliantly. Now we are just waiting for the day when he is released from hospital," Thompson said.

"We don't think it's too far away. It could be in the next three days but it will probably be after the Manchester United game (on Sunday).

"I know he's extremely happy about Tuesday's result when Liverpool qualified for the second stage of the Champions League. He sent his best wishes to the players and staff and told us how proud he is.

"We still have to be very careful with him, but he is making great strides."