Now skipping over the channel to go back to Gerard Houllier's homeland, French football federation's president, Noel Le Graet, has delivered his own personal tribute.

"It is with great emotion and deep sadness that I learned of the death of Gerard Houllier," Le Graet said.

"French football is losing one of its greatest technicians, and the French federation one of its most loyal servants. Gerard Houllier has distinguished himself at all levels of football.

"In the amateur world as a player and then as a coach, in the professional world as a coach of renowned clubs, in the federation as national technical director and coach of the France team.

"Beyond his unanimously recognised technical qualities, Gerard Houllier was a great teacher, open-minded, warm, accessible, deeply human.

"French football owes him a lot. On behalf of the federation, I send our heartfelt thoughts and condolences to his family and loved ones."

Former captain and club legend Steven Gerrard is the latest former Liverpool player to pay tribute to Gerard Houllier.

"Devastated to hear the news my former manager Gerard Houllier has passed away," Gerrard wrote on Instagram.

"I will never forget what this man did for me and my career. Rest in peace Boss. YNWA x"

Houllier of course handed Gerrard his debut for the club in November 1998.

French defender Gregory Vignal and former forward Neil Mellor both had Gerard Houllier to thank for appearing for Liverpool.

Mellor made his debut under the Frenchman after coming through the club's academy, while Vignal was signed by Houllier in 2000.

Image source, Getty Images

Ligue 1 side Lyon say, external that Gerard Houllier's death means the game is "losing one of the greatest architects of world football."

Houllier of course helped the club win two league titles and they have also lavished praise on him for his "strong involvement in the development of women's football, and more particularly at OL, contributing to gender equality in sport."

When you look back at Gerard Houllier's time at Liverpool there are loads of pictures of him sat alongside Phil Thompson.

And the Frenchman's former assistant has said he is "devastated and heartbroken" by the passing of "my mate, my colleague and my boss."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Chris Kirkland was one of the most promising young goalkeepers in England when Gerard Houllier signed him for Liverpool in 2001.

And while things didn't largely go to plan for Kirkland at Anfield (mainly due to injuries) he remembers his time there and with Houllier very fondly.

"He made my dream come true," Kirkland told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I've always been a Liverpool fan, my first game was when I was seven in 1988 and then he made my dreams come true by signing me.

"He was a special man - it wasn't just about the football, it was about the human being as well.

"You could go and see him anytime, his door was always open. He just had this warm feeling about him that when you were talking to him he made you feel a million dollars - he was a special man and he's going to be really, really missed."

Image source, Getty Images

Gerard Houllier's record at Liverpool (games as sole manager only) was pretty impressive.

• Matches: 307
• Wins: 160
• Draws: 73
• Losses: 74
• Goals scored: 516
• Goals conceded: 298

I make that a 52% win ratio. Only Rafael Benitez and Jurgen Klopp have managed better since the days of Kenny Dalglish.

Glen: Really sad news about Gerard Houllier. He turned Liverpool back into a winning team. Brought through a crop of players and talent, who a year after he left, won the Champions League. Without him 2005 just wouldn’t have happened. A gentleman, a football hero.

Feel free to post your favourite memory of Gerard Houllier. The one that always sticks in my mind is him returning to the Liverpool bench for the match against Roma after he had been ill. Pure inspiration.

The tributes continue...

Now this is nice from England women's manager Phil Neville...

In a post on Instagram he writes: " Gerard Houllier, an absolute gentlemen who when I became a coach was a great support, who came to see me before every game at the 2019 Women's World Cup to wish me all the best and to talk about the game he loved. Thoughts are with his family."

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp has also paid his respects to his former manager.

In a post on Instagram, Redknapp wrote: "Incredibly sad news to hear of the passing of Gerard Houllier. A man that did an amazing job for Liverpool football club and for football as a whole.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I will never forget the day he gave me the Liverpool captaincy the greatest honour of my career. R.I.P Gerard."

An emotional tribute from Harry Kewell, who joined Liverpool from Leeds in 2003 to play under Gerard Houllier.

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator

Gerard Houllier felt he had a natural affinity with Liverpool having worked their as a teaching assistant in his formative years.

Initially installed as Liverpool's joint manager alongside Roy Evans in 1998, he soon took sole control and 2001 became his golden year as Liverpool won both domestic cups, the Uefa Cup and then added the charity shield and Uefa Super Cup.

But in the Autumn of that year he took ill and underwent an emergency heart operation.

Although he made an emotional return five months later, 2001 was the closest he came to returning the glory years to Liverpool.

Image source, Getty Images

In April 2001, Gerard Houllier had open heart surgery after suffering from chest pains during a Liverpool home match against Leeds.

He returned to take up the managerial reins at Anfield and remained there for another three years before he was sacked in May 2004.

After leaving the Reds, he led Lyon to two French titles before joining the FFF in 2007. He was enticed back into management by Aston Villa in September 2010, signing a three-year deal.

But the following April he was admitted to hospital with chest pains and Gary McAllister stepped in to help steer Villa away from relegation trouble. He stepped down from the role at the end of the 2010-11 season with concerns that a return to the dugout could cause further health issues.

Markus Babbel, Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Dietmar Hamann, Gary McAllister, Danny Murphy, Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, Patrik Berger, Nick Barmby and Robbie Fowler were all in the Liverpool squad that Gerard Houllier managed.

Some collection of players that.

Jack: Sad to hear of the passing of Gerard Houllier. He did a lot of good things for Liverpool football club. Rest in Peace, Gerard.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Roy Evans has been speaking about Gerard Houllier on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Here's what he had to say about the man who shared managerial responsibilities with him at Liverpool for a period:

"It's a really sad day. It seems to be one things after the other these days. It is a real sad day for all Liverpool fans.

"You had two people trying to do one job. Football is about opinions different things and that is why I walked away at the time.

"I never held that against Gerard, he came to do a job and he did a good one at the end of the day. It is a really sad day.

"The last time I saw him was about 12 months ago in Ireland and we had a good chat. It is another Liverpool legend who has passed away. When I left the club there was a big impact in terms of putting money into the club to try and get it back at the top of the Premier League.

"We didn't manage that but they did manage to win a lot of trophies under Gerard, he made a big impact and you can never take that away."