Sport 15-10-2001 Houllier In Stable Condition After Heart Surgery who: Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier what: In a stable condition after heart surgery where: Royal Liverpool Hospital, LIVERPOOL when: Last night snippet: The Liverpool manager, 54, was rushed to hospital at half-time on Saturday after complaining of chest pains during the 1-1 draw with Leeds United at Anfield, reports the Times. "Tests showed that he had not had a heart attack but was suffering from a condition known as dissection of the aorta." "It says everything about Houllier`s love for Liverpool Football Club," notes the Telegraph`s Henry Winter, "that he insisted on giving the half-time team-talk on Saturday despite sensing the onset of symptoms that were to require such urgent medical attention." The operation at the largest specialist heart and chest unit in the country was carried out by two of the hospital`s leading surgeons and cardiac consultants, reports BBC Online, before speculating - like most other sources - that ex-Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish may be recruited to help out during Houllier`s recovery period, which may last beyond the end of the season. Leeds manager David O`Leary told the Telegraph that Houllier had seemed fine before their sides` game on Saturday. "We were talking about going out for dinner with our wives in the next week or so and I said it was about time he got some decent red wine. But Gerard did say to me, `Dave, it`s so hard to deal with players now with the union, their power and the money they earn. Looking after 20 very rich people is very bad for your health`. [... more]

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