Alex Manninger tribute paid in Crystal Palace match after ex-Liverpool star’s tragic death
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SportFootballLiverpool FCAlex Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a car crash in Austria and one of his former clubs Fiorentina have paid tribute to himAlex Manninger’s former side Fiorentina have paid tribute to the ex-Liverpool goalkeeper ahead of their UEFA Conference League tie against Crystal Palace. The 48-year-old’s death was confirmed by the Austrian FA on Thursday after a car crash.The former Liverpool goalkeeper's car was involved in a collision with a train in his home city of Salzburg.
Tributes have poured in for the former Austria international.The goalkeeper represented several clubs during his long career, with his final season before retirement coming at Anfield. Manninger also played for Fiorentina on loan from Arsenal in the 2001/02 season.READ MORE: Liverpool pay tribute to Alex Manninger after death in horror crash as messages flood inREAD MORE: Florian Wirtz says Liverpool players 'owe' fans and club Champions League qualificationThe Italian club paid its own tribute on Thursday night during their clash against Palace, with players wearing black armbands and a minute's silence observed by both teams before kick-off.
An image of Manninger was displayed on the big screen during the tribute.On their official X account, they wrote: "Fiorentina mourns the sudden passing of Alex Manninger, the Viola goalkeeper in the 2001-2002 season, who had a long career in Italy and as the Austrian national team's goalkeeper."The entire club joins his family in this moment of profound grief."Writing on their official website, Liverpool said: "Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48. The Austrian arrived at Anfield in July 2016 to spend the final season of his lengthy playing career as a Red."Brought in as an experienced back-up goalkeeper, he featured in two friendly fixtures and was named in the matchday squad on four occasions during that campaign."Manninger represented a host of clubs in Europe across two decades – including hometown side Red Bull Salzburg, Arsenal, Fiorentina, Juventus and FC Augsburg."He earned 33 senior caps for Austria, the first of which came in August 1999.The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Alex's family and friends at this difficult time."Austrian Football Association sporting director Peter Schöttel said: "Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch."His international career set standards and inspired and influenced many young goalkeepers.