KEEP STRONG GERARD, KEEP STRONG

From the Guardian:

Merseyside police have launched a criminal investigation after the Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier received an anonymous death threat.

The Frenchman, who is preparing his side for tonight's Uefa Cup third-round tie against Levski Sofia here in Bulgaria, was sent a letter saying his life was in danger unless he resigned immediately as the club's manager.

The note was posted to Anfield and received early in February, with Houllier opening it himself after it was transferred in internal mail to the club's Melwood training complex.

It is understood that the content of the letter, scrawled on a single piece of A4 paper, claimed to know precise details of the manager's daily routine as well as the layout of his apartment in the city. Houllier appeared publicly upbeat last night despite refusing to comment on the matter but, privately, is believed to have been left shocked by the incident.

"The club totally condemn what has happened," said a Liverpool spokesman.

"It was a very unpleasant letter which we felt needed to be brought to the attention of the police. The police are now investigating the matter further."

Two police officers visited Melwood on the day the letter was received and, though the Frenchman is not being given police protection at the moment, the threat is being treated seriously with their investigation on-going. A police spokesman added:

"Merseyside police can confirm that we have launched an investigation after a threatening letter was sent to Gérard Houllier, the Liverpool manager, at the beginning of February."

The threat is the latest chilling attempt to hound Houllier away from Merseyside in what, so far, has been a desperately disappointing season at Anfield.

Although the letter was sent prior to Liverpool's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Portsmouth, their subsequent defeat in the replay at Fratton Park last month saw graffiti daubed on the wall at the training ground, with one message reading: "Hope you die of Aids, Houllier."