Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier returned to the training pitch today as his team prepared for Wednesday's Champions League match at Barcelona.
Frenchman Houllier has been away from Liverpool's Melwood training complex since undergoing major heart surgery last October.
He gave the players a pre-match pep talk ahead of Liverpool's 3-0 Premiership win over Newcastle last Wednesday but today's session marked his real coaching comeback.
Houllier hopes to make a complete, full-time return this month but will not travel with the squad to the Nou Camp this week.
Assistant manager Phil Thompson told the club's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: "He had his bench coat on and he was loving every minute of it out there.
"The players were delighted to see him back on the training pitch, and I know he was delighted to be working with them again.
"Gerard's been putting in a few hours in his office. But to see him out on the training pitch was brilliant - it shows how near he is to making a complete recovery.
"Getting back out on the pitch with the lads is also part of his rehabilitation, and that can only be a good thing.
"Gerard's return has given the players a huge boost for the Barcelona match, and even though he's not travelling over for the match we all know he'll be there in spirit with us."
AFP