Source: Daily_Mail
Tributes flood in for former Liverpool defender Avi Cohen
Heyday: Avi Cohen playing for Liverpool[LNB]Kenny Dalglish and Phil Thompson have paid tribute to their former Liverpool team-mate Avi Cohen, who died after being injured in a motorcycle accident last week in Tel Aviv. [LNB]Cohen, who was pronounced brain dead by doctors in the city's Ichilov Hospital, opened up new frontiers for players and clubs when he became Liverpool's first high-profile foreign signing in May 1979. [LNB]Liverpool will observe a period of applause before Wednesday night's game with Wolves at Anfield as a mark of respect. Both teams will also wear black armbands during the match.[LNB]Bob Paisley paid Maccabi Tel Aviv £200,000 in what was a ground-breaking deal to take the left back to Anfield. [LNB]He only made 24 appearances during two years on Merseyside but became a cult figure with Liverpool fans after his goal against Aston Villa helped clinch the First Division title in 1980.[LNB] Heatbreak: Bolton's Tamir Cohen (centre) visits Ichilov hospital after his father's accident[LNB]Tribute: Liverpool academy ambassador - and former playing ace - Dalglish[LNB]Dalglish said: 'Avi was a lovely man who will be remembered fondly by everyone who knew him. [LNB]'He quickly integrated himself into the club when he joined us and spent a lot of time learning English which really made him popular.' [LNB]Thompson recalled Cohen as being a hugely popular figure. [LNB]'Avi was one of the real nice guys of the game,' said Thompson, who was Liverpool captain during Cohen's spell at Anfield. [LNB]'He had fantastic ability and fantastic skills.' [LNB]Capped 51 times by Israel, Cohen was also part of the Liverpool squad who won the 1981 European Cup. [LNB]He later had spells with Rangers, Sheffield United, Huddersfield and South African side Port Elizabeth. [LNB] Former Liverpool defender Cohen dies after motorcycle smash in IsraelLIVERPOOL v Wolves: Skipper Steven Gerrard finally set for Reds returnLIVERPOOL FC
