Murphy: Player of the Month (AlexLivesey/Allsport)

Caretaker-manager Thompson's award coincided with England midfielder Danny Murphy being voted player of the month and gave Liverpool a major boost ahead of Wednesday's daunting Champions League date with Roma at the Olympic Stadium.

It also vindicated a stance taken by Liverpool's board nearly two months ago when they resisted calls for an interim manager to be appointed for the duration of Houllier's recovery from life-saving heart surgery.

As Houllier paid a surprise visit to Liverpool's Melwood training ground to congratulate the two award-winners, chief executive Rick Parry revealed how a sense of unity and camaraderie unmatched since the era of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley had convinced Anfield's chiefs to stick with Thompson, despite his lack of managerial experience.

Parry said: 'The idea of contingency plans to cover Gerard's illness never entered our thoughts. We did not have so much as a Right tion of a second's hesitation before concluding that a seamless transition was the way ahead and that Phil should be in temporary control.

'At no time did we address whether someone should be brought in. It was not even a debate. We had confidence in Phil's ability, for one thing, but it goes deeper than that.

'Our minds were made up for us by the fantastic spirit Gerard has generated among the players and staff, a sense of togetherness that was manifested towards the end of last season when games were coming thick and fast.

'Every time Liverpool play, it is a big game, but this was something else. They were massive occasions with so much riding on them and it was a superhuman achievement by the players to end up with three trophies and a place in the Champions League.

'Everyone pulled together and it struck us there was a strength of character and purpose about them that would carry us through this difficult period. Equally, we felt that bringing someone in from outside might jeopardise that. It would have been disruptive.

'That is why it was entirely clear to us from the outset what we should do. It had to be Phil, and the way everyone has responded has been phenomenal. I am not surprised, and neither is Gerard. We could not very well consult him at the time, but I know exactly what he would have said.

'After creating such a tightknit group of players and backroom staff, he would have insisted on keeping it in-house. There is no question about that, because there is such an under-standing in the camp of his methods and how he makes it all work.'

Thompson, who feared a possible backlash from supporters over Robbie Fowler's £11million sale to Leeds last week, played down his input, saying: 'I am delighted, of course, but really it is a measure of what Gerard has done here.

'I have only carried it on. This award is not only for myself but for Gerard, the technical and medical staff and the players, who have been outstanding. I'm also really pleased for the fans.

'Both Gerard and myself really appreciate the support we had at Derby because we know there had been a bit of pressure put on us after the events of last week. They were right behind us, though, and that was great.'

Of Murphy's award, Thompson added: 'It's fantastic for Danny and he thoroughly deserves it for some of the performances he's given us.'

The decision to honour the Liverpool pair was made by the Barclaycard Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.

A spokesman for the panel said: 'Liverpool's form this season has been absolutely superb and is a testament to the way Phil Thompson has picked up the reins since Gerard Houllier's illness.

'The players and coaching staff have worked hard and now deservedly sit on top of the table. The fact they have only lost two games all season suggests that they have the ability to lead the race to the title.

'Both Thompson and Murphy epitomise the spirit of the current squad.' Meanwhile, Michael Owen was warned he will be a marked man in Rome tomorrow after his two goals against the Italian champions in last season's UEFA Cup.

Roma boss Fabio Capello said: 'We will play to stop Owen. He is the type who can do nothing for 90 minutes, then win a match in injury-time.