Soccer: Liverpool rise 'good for the heart' - Houllier

Gerard Houllier has revealed how his recovery from emergency heart surgery has been aided by Liverpool’s rise to the top of the Premiership.

In his absence, assistant manager Phil Thompson and the backroom team Houllier put in place have continued his good work, with Liverpool also reaching the second phase of the Champions League.

Reflecting after Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Sunderland, Houllier said: ‘‘Phil and the backroom staff have been brilliant, as have the players - they can all be proud of themselves.

‘‘Phil’s loyalty is beyond question, and he has joined the backroom staff in carrying on the qualities and development we had all been putting in place together.

‘‘He has done a tremendous job, along with the team behind the team - men like Jacques Crevoisier, Sammy Lee, Joe Corrigan, and all the other staff - in continuing the job we have undertaken at Liverpool.

‘‘Phil probably had a difficult moment and went through a difficult period when we lost against Barcelona, but these things happen and he handled it very well. I think he is improving all the time. He has been fantastic.’’