Houllier closes on full-time return

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier returned to the training pitch to help his side prepare for tomorrow's Champions League clash with Barcelona but he won't be travelling to Spain with the team today.

The Frenchman, who is hoping to make a full-time return this month, has been away from Melwood since undergoing heart surgery last October.

He spent 45 minutes with the players on Saturday and yesterday participated in an even longer training session.

Assistant manager Phil Thompson said: "He loved every minute of it out there and The players were delighted to see him back on the training pitch. Gerard's been putting in a few hours in his office. But to see him out on the training pitch was brilliant."

Liverpool will go into the Group B encounter without striker Michael Owen, who has a hamstring injury. His place will probably go to former Nou Camp star Jari Litmanen.