God Bless Georgie Best...

...And please, Lord, don't let them murder him in the name of mercy.

LONDON (AP) -- Soccer great George Best is desperately ill and must improve quickly to have a chance to live.

"He can't survive day after day after day without some improvement occurring," Dr. Roger Williams said Monday. "He's keeping himself alive."
Best, who needed a liver transplant three years ago after years of alcohol abuse, was on life support in stable but critical condition at Cromwell Hospital.

"His brain is active, his pupils are reactive," Williams said. "We are not keeping people alive that aren't alive and we certainly wouldn't do that."
Best's family has been at his bedside for several days.

"He is doing a bit better," said son Calum. "He is comfortable."

The 59-year-old former Manchester United star has been hospitalized with various infections since Oct. 1. His condition deteriorated Thursday when he was diagnosed with a lung infection and was put on dialysis and a ventilator.

Williams, who performed the liver transplant three years ago and now is in charge of the medical team treating Best, said the next step was to bring the former soccer star out of sedation and see how he responds.

Regarded as one of the most talented players of all-time until his retirement, Best was renowned for his standout dribbling skills and memorable goals. He helped Manchester United win the European Cup in 1968.