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December 11
Houllier in tearful return
BBC
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier made an emotional speech to shareholders on his first return to Anfield since heart surgery.
The Frenchman broke down in tears at the end of his 20-minute speech at the club's annual general meeting
Houllier, who is expected to return to the Liverpool helm in January or February, was given a standing ovation by those assembled.
He told the meeting that he had been fully involved in the sale of Robbie Fowler to Leeds.
He also revealed that the fee had been closer to £13m than the reported £11m.
"No manager could have been more supportive of Robbie over the years," said Houllier.
"I like him as a person and we got on well, which is why I rang him before his Leeds debut to wish him all the best and tell him that he would always be welcome at Melwood.
"It was clear that Robbie was unhappy at not being an automatic first choice.
"He obviously wants to play in next year's World Cup and believes that playing more regularly will allow him to do that.
"I will not keep a player at this club who is unhappy and that applies to anybody, not just Robbie.
"In addition, with just 18 months left on his contract, we could not afford a repeat of the Steve McManaman situation, which is why the timing of the move was right for both Robbie and us.
"The fact he went to Elland Road is not important. I am more concerned about my squad than that of others."
Houllier said he would not be rushing to buy a replacement for Fowler.
"Already speculation has begun about another striker coming to this club but I have total belief in our current strikeforce," he said.
"What I can tell you now is that the transfer fee for Robbie will be invested in the right player at the right time.
"We will bring someone in who will improve the squad and we will not be rushed into making the wrong decision.
"I have total faith in the squad we have assembled which is why we didn't spend too much in the summer.
"Christian Ziege went to Tottenham and John Arne Riise came in from Monaco.
"We have already seen how well he has adapted to the English game.
"Some other clubs decided to make much bigger outlays during the summer, but although I know we can improve in certain areas, I believe in the players we have here.
"Another sign of that belief was epitomised by our decision not to sign Tomas Rosicky, who was available for £8m before he moved to Dortmund.
"I knew what Danny Murphy was capable of and I had faith in him.
"His recent breakthrough into the England squad has vindicated that decision."
Houllier underwent heart surgery two months ago.
There were fears that he would not be able to return to management but he is now expected back soon.
"I want to assure everyone that I am looking forward to coming back but I must follow the doctors' orders," Houllier said.
November 26
Houllier's Thompson tribute
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.
"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."
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.
November 20
Hou's line-up is it anyway?
By Chris Bascombe/Liverpool Echo
Gerard Houllier has taken another major step towards a full recovery by helping Phil Thompson plot Liverpool's bid to overcome mighty Barcelona.
The team pursuing the latest European scalp at Anfield tonight was picked by Thompson AND Houllier.
The recovering boss met Thompson last night to finalise preparations for the mouthwatering Champions' League clash.
Houllier won't attend the game and still won't return in his full capacity until January. But he hasn't missed a minute of Liverpool's matches on TV while he's been absent.
And the delighted assistant manager says the line-up this evening has been selected 'jointly', reflecting the growing return to influence of the Anfield number one.
Thompson said today: "Gerard and I met last night to speak about the Houllier and Tommo select Reds line-up game and the team. I'm delighted to say he is having more and more input now, which is great because it shows he is getting stronger.
"I see Gerard every day and we are discussing things openly. The team selection for tonight was a joint decision.
"If he hasn't watched the games live, we've sent him videos of all the ones he missed."
November 18
Mrs Houllier issues statement
icLiverpool
Mrs Isabelle Houllier today issued the following statement through Liverpool Football Club.
"On behalf of all the family, I'd like to thank everyone at the Cardio Thoracic Centre Liverpool NHS Trust for the wonderful care they've provided for Gerard this week. It has been a real comfort for us all to know that Gerard's treatment is in the best possible hands.
"I've been overwhelmed by the number of people who've sent cards, flowers and messages of support and even though it's not possible to reply to each individually, they are all greatly appreciated.
"I have spoken to Gerard who is aware of the enormous amount of goodwill towards him while the kindness shown by so many different people has touched and encouraged all of us close to him. We will never forget."
November 16
Houllier holds meeting with players
Ananova
Gerard Houllier has met up with his Liverpool players for the first time since undergoing heart surgery.
Houllier visited the Reds training ground and had a ten minute meeting with his players before their training session started.
It is the first time Houllier had seen his squad since being taken to hospital half-way through the game against Leeds six weeks ago.
Assistant manager Phil Thompson told the club's official website: "Gerard always said he would come in and see the lads when he felt strong enough.
"The players were all really pleased to see him and you could see the smiles on their faces when he walked through the door.
"He told everyone he was proud of the efforts everybody has been making in his absence and stressed the importance of keeping the good run going.
"As usual, his team talk was absolutely outstanding. He told them all he will be back and they were really happy to hear that."
November 16
Houllier: I never thought of quitting
Ananova
Gerard Houllier has revealed the thought of retirement never entered his mind even when he was seriously ill in intensive care after major heart surgery.
Houllier said he could not envisage life without football and that thought was driving him towards a return to duties at Liverpool early next year.
"Will football ever get out of my life? I tell you straight away, no. My wife knows that. So does my family. My whole life is about football," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"Football is my oxygen. That is why I was watching games when I was in the recovery unit.
"One of the team, Dr Rod Stables, said that it was very good for me to keep informed. He explained that it is vital to be mentally focused after a major operation."
The Anfield boss is looking to return to managing first-team affairs some time in January.
After revealing that he blamed his failure to take a holiday during the close season for contributing to his illness, Houllier said he would not make the same mistake again and planned to ease himself back into things at Anfield and would take on a less-involved role in a number of club matters.
"I believe mid-January will be a sensible target. Before then, I intend to take a 10 to 15-day break," he added.
"Every day I feel one per cent stronger. That means I will need another three months to recuperate. Everyone keeps telling me that I must be careful about coming back too early.
"If you asked me if I would be maintaining the same kind of workload, I would say probably not. I must pace myself more."
November 16
My debt to Anfield hierarchy
Liverpool Echo
Gerard Houllier will never forget the total support he has had from everyone at Anfield - not least his chairman David Moores and Chief Executive Rick Parry.
The Liverpool boss, recovering from major heart surgery, is now well enough to reflect in-depth on the experiences of the past month.
The continuing solidarity of the Anfield hierarchy behind both the manager and his staff is helping to inspire the remarkable recovery of a man whose dedication to the Liverpool cause is more intense than ever.
He said: "After my operation there were calls by some people to bring in a stand-in manager. This was unnecessary because of the quality of my staff. Phil Thompson has done a wonderful job in my absence along with Sammy Lee, Jacques Crevoisier and Joe Corrigan.
"But central to this has been the way in which David Moores and Rick Parry have showed a total self belief in what we are trying to achieve. They reacted very quickly to those calls for a stand-in boss and stated that nobody would be brought
in.
" In doing so, they expressed their complete faith in myself and my backroom team. I can tell you that Gerard Houllier was very grateful for that level of support. Both David and Rick are passionate Liverpool fans as well as key figures in our continued progress."
The backing at home has been mirrored by messages of support from around Britain and France. Gerard said: "I've had wonderful messages from people like Bobby Robson, Alan Curbishley, John Gregory, Glenn Hoddle and Peter Taylor.
"But it's not just been in this country. The chairman of the French FA, Claude Simonet, and his chief executive, together with the former national team boss Aime Jacquet and all his staff, have contacted me.
"Many of the managers, too, from the top French sides including Guy Roux and chairmen from clubs such as Metz, Monaco and Lens also sent their best wishes.
"Lastly my old friend Patrice Bergues, who did such a good job while he was here at Liverpool, has called me regularly."
