Probe into Houllier death threat letter

Police investigations were today continuing into a death threat letter received by Liverpool football club manager Gerard Houllier.

Liverpool, who are currently in Bulgaria preparing for their Uefa Cup clash with Levski Sofia tomorrow, have confirmed that the letter was received three weeks ago and has been referred to the police.

Houllier opened the letter himself, said a Liverpool spokesman last night.

“It was considered to be worrying enough for us to involve the police. They are still investigating,” he said.

Merseyside police confirmed the matter was being investigated.

Houllier has been under intense pressure in the past weeks because of Liverpool’s poor season and last week vile insults were daubed on the wall of the club’s Melwood training ground following the FA Cup defeat at Portsmouth.

But the letter was received by the Frenchman before that emotive match and has been kept a closely-guarded secret while police investigations continued.

The Liverpool spokesman added: “It was very unpleasant and because of that we have involved the police in the situation. We do not want to over-dramatise the incident, but such letters cannot be ignored.”

Houllier has even received abuse from the devoted Kop, but during last week’s first leg against Sofia the mood appeared to change with the Anfield crowd chanting the manager’s name and singing their support for the under-fire boss.