The Swiss defender made a return to first team football after two months on the sidelines against Vitesse last night, making a number of crucial blocks and tackles, slotting in alongside Sami Hyypia as if he'd never been away.
And Houllier was delighted with his performance, despite the fact that Henchoz, who looks knackered at the best of times, has played just fourty five minutes reserve team football since undergoing a calf operation.
He said: "Stephane was fit to play. He played 45 minutes for the reserves on Monday and was magnificent. I knew their right winger was very quick so that's why I wanted to play Djimi at left back.
"Ideally had we been two or 3-0 up, which we could have been I would have taken Stephane off in the second half, but when your team needs a result I thought it best to leave him on. His maturity and composure was good for us today."