The Frenchman was left without the able support of his trusted number two during the ninety minutes but he admits that Thompson was never far from his thoughts during a miserable night in Bucharest.
Houllier said: "Phil was on the plane while the match was going on and landed in Manchester just after the final whistle. I spoke to him then. The result and performance are dedicated to Phil and all his family. Unfortunately his mother is not very well.
"I think the boys made a point about how they feel about him by the way they performed last night. I have to say I am proud of them for the way they responded. Their efforts under the circumstances were tremendous."
Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy was also quick to add his sympathies to the current problems being felt by Thompson that, he feels, once again serve to prove that there are indeed more important things in life then football.
Murphy added: "It made us want to get a result even more so we could dedicate it to him. Phil would have wanted us to put in a good performance so that we would have everything to play for when he's back with us for the second leg.
"I think it's another one of those situations which puts football in perspective. There are more important things."