LATEST:LIZA MINNELLI had a terrifying brush with death only days before her recent hip replacement surgery - landing in hospital with alcohol poisoning.

The illness-plagued singer was rushed to Cornell Medical Centre in New York - reeling from an overdose of alcohol - say hospital sources.

One insider says, "Liza was about as close to dying as she could be. She was really in terrible shape. At the time, a nurse told me, 'She has alcohol poisoning. They're taking aggressive measures to save her life.' "There was a huge amount of activity the night she was rushed into the intensive care unit. Doctors were there on a constant basis. "They didn't know if she was going to live or die. Two huge bodyguards were posted at the door. The next day she had a stream of concerned visitors." (SVD/NE/PDD)

Source: WENN