Wednesday 22 November 2017 08:46, UK
Eduardo Berizzo has been diagnosed with cancer, and reportedly told his Sevilla players at half-time of their remarkable 3-3 draw against Liverpool on Tuesday.
The Reds looked to be heading for a comfortable win in their Champions League Group C clash as two goals from Roberto Firmino and one from Sadio Mane put them 3-0 ahead.
However, Sevilla battled back in the second half and claimed a 3-3 draw, with Guido Pizarro scoring an injury-time equaliser.
Sevilla players ran to celebrate with Berizzo after the goal, and it has been reported in the Spanish media that the head coach told his players at half-time that he has prostate cancer.
Berizzo, 48, made no statement on his health when speaking after the win, however, Sevilla confirmed the news on Wednesday morning.
The club said in a statement: "The medical services of Sevilla FC report that the coach of the first team, Eduardo Berizzo, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
"Future examinations will decide what steps to follow regarding the treatment. Sevilla FC wants to show their maximum support to their coach at this time and wishes him a speedy recovery."
Several Sevilla players had hailed Berizzo's powers of motivation to orchestrate their second-half fightback.
"It was a crazy game. We went into the changing rooms knowing that if we tried then we could pull it off. That's how we have to play every game.
"We have to go out there with that attitude, for the fans that always back us and for the coach who has turned this around.
"He is the most important of all of us, he has on the right path and we are with him to the hilt."
Berizzo, a former centre-back for River Plate, Marseille and Celta Vigo among others, is in his first season as Sevilla boss after three successful years in charge of Celta.
