By Phil McNulty Chief Football Writer

Gerard Houllier has paid tribute to assistant manager Phil Thompson and Liverpool's players for aiding his recovery from emergency heart surgery by launching an attack on silverware at home and abroad.

Boss Houllier was named joint manager of the month for March with Thompson, who took the reins when his boss was away from Anfield for five months recovering from a major operation.

Thompson was in constant contact with Houllier throughout his recuperation, but was only rejoined in the Anfield dug-out last month for the Champions League clash with AS Roma.

Houllier is also indebted to his carefully-assembled back-up team that allowed him to return and keep Liverpool in the race for the Premiership.

He was also delighted the Liverpool hierarchy resisted calls from some quarters insisting an outsider should be brought in as cover while he recovered, claiming it would have been "a disaster."

The Champions League campaign was ended at the quarter-final stage by Bayer Leverkusen, but Houllier said: "Phil Thompson was outstanding in terms of loyalty and also because he quickly realised that being involved would help me recover.

"My backroom team were also outstanding. The team knew the people behind them were also working as a team. I'm a strong believer in the team behind the team - this is the Liverpool way."

Chairman David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry were quick to pledge support for Thompson and the rest of the backroom staff, insisting they could flourish in Houllier's absence.

He said: "The players at Liverpool never cease to amaze me. That's why I said they are my heroes.

"I was not surprised by their results because I know the quality we have got here. I knew at some stage we would have a dip and we had it over Christmas.

"This is normally not good because that is usually when we are strong, but we started out earlier this year in the Champions League qualifying rounds."

And Houllier admitted: "When you look at what happened to the team and the club, losing the manager, they have somehow managed to keep growing and improving.

"The all-round performances this season have been outstanding.

"I don't think many people thought we would get to the Champions League quarter-final.