Houllier's Thompson tribute

Houllier: Liverpool in safe hands under Thompson

Exclusive by BBC Sport Online chief football writer Phil McNulty.

Gerard Houllier has revealed how his recovery from emergency heart surgery has been aided by Liverpool's ascent to the Premiership summit.

The Liverpool manager is recuperating as he continues his return to full health after being taken ill during the home game against Leeds United at Anfield in October.

Assistant manager Phil Thompson and the backroom team Houllier put in place have continued his good work as Liverpool qualified for the second stage of the Champions League.

Liverpool confirmed their place at the top of the league with Sunday's win against Sunderland.

And Houllier - in an interview with BBC Sport Online - confirmed the work of Thompson and the rest of his Anfield staff and players has provided him with the ideal tonic.

He said: "Phil and the backroom staff have been brilliant, as have the players - they can all be proud of themselves.

Thompson - loyalty

"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."

Liverpool's board moved swiftly to reject suggestions they should appoint a high-profile caretaker manager to cover for Houllier - a decision vindicated by the brilliant results achieved under Thompson and his back-up team.

"The same applies to the players, They have all been phenomenal in keeping me upbeat with the results they have had.

"They have done a great job in my absence. We have tried to keep a link between us in everything we do at Liverpool, and I thought the substitutions Phil made against Sunderland were fantastic - I certainly couldn't have done any better myself."

They have all been phenomenal in keeping me upbeat with the results they have had

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier

Houllier added: "I spoke to Jacques Crevoisier recently, and he was telling me the players were keeping to the same principles, keeping the same focus, trying to ensure things carried on. In fact they were possibly even more focused.

"People talked about the bootroom at Anfield - we have what we call our bunker at Melwood. We all talk about things and our principles, and I have been proud of the way everyone has carried them on.

"Everyone knows what we are trying to achieve, and to see us top of the league shows everyone at Liverpool - Phil, the staff and the players - have similar objectives and aims."

Houllier is making a steady recovery, but will be back to take the reins at Anfield once he has received permission from the medical staff over-seeing his recovery.

It is likely to be the end of January before he makes his official return, and has already paid one visit to the training ground to talk to Liverpool's players.