Tributes flood in for former Liverpool defender Avi Cohen

Heyday: Avi Cohen playing for LiverpoolKenny 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. 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. 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.Bob Paisley paid Maccabi Tel Aviv £200,000 in what was a ground-breaking deal to take the left back to Anfield. 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. Heatbreak: Bolton's Tamir Cohen (centre) visits Ichilov hospital after his father's accidentTribute: Liverpool academy ambassador - and former playing ace - DalglishDalglish said: 'Avi was a lovely man who will be remembered fondly by everyone who knew him. 'He quickly integrated himself into the club when he joined us and spent a lot of time learning English which really made him popular.' Thompson recalled Cohen as being a hugely popular figure. 'Avi was one of the real nice guys of the game,' said Thompson, who was Liverpool captain during Cohen's spell at Anfield. 'He had fantastic ability and fantastic skills.' Capped 51 times by Israel, Cohen was also part of the Liverpool squad who won the 1981 European Cup. He later had spells with Rangers, Sheffield United, Huddersfield and South African side Port Elizabeth.  Former Liverpool defender Cohen dies after motorcycle smash in IsraelLIVERPOOL v Wolves: Skipper Steven Gerrard finally set for Reds returnLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail