Madrid: Sevilla players sent coach Eduardo Berizzo an emotional open letter on Wednesday after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The 48-year-old Argentine saw his side produce a stirring second-half fight-back from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday, and Spanish media reported that he told his players about the illness at half-time.

Berizzo will undergo treatment after further tests, the Spanish club said on Wednesday.

"Sevilla's medical team reports that the first team coach, Eduardo Berizzo, has been diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma in the prostate," a club statement said.

"Future examinations will lead to a decision over what steps to follow in his treatment. Sevilla wants to offer their maximum support to the coach in these moments and wish him a quick recovery."

After the match, midfielder Ever Banega told reporters: "We had to come out (after being 0-3 down at the break) with a different attitude, for the fans, who have always supported us, and also the coach, who has reversed our situation.

"He's the biggest fan we have. He has taken us on the right path and we're with him all the way," he added in comments made before Berizzo's diagnosis had been made public.

Berizzo took over at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan in the summer after spending three seasons at Celta Vigo, who he also played for between 2001-05.

The football world has sent messages of support on social media, with Sevilla captain Nico Pareja posting an open letter from the whole squad to the coach and fans on Twitter.

"We wish him a full and speedy recovery. We pass on to him something that has been the mark of this club for a long time: It is said we never surrender. We'll all be there to make sure of that," read the letter.

"Gaffer, you have more than enough courage to get through all of this. You've won our respect and affection and we want to let you know you can count on your team and thousands of people that will stand by you and help you in this process. You are not alone in this battle."

Former Sevilla and current Paris St Germain coach Unai Emery, La Liga and clubs including Real Betis and Celta Vigo have been among those to offer Berizzo their support and solidarity.

Sevilla's chairman Jose Castro added: "We've explained the feelings of the club in the official statement but the important thing is that Berizzo feels strong and is awaiting the treatment he's going to follow.

"This is a personal matter and from here on, we are going to make it clear that he is our coach. We aren't imagining any situation where he's not and we are going to support him and fall over ourselves for him because we are sure that this problem has a solution. He wants total normality, he's in good spirits and he's dealing with it naturally.

"We knew 15 to 20 days ago. He told the players after the Celta match and it was something we had to communicate. Eduardo was the one to make the decision and he didn't want it to become mixed up in yesterday's match. The news was scheduled for this morning, though last night there were rumours about it.

"I work closely with Berizzo and, for me as chairman, it comes as a massive shock. Straightaway I was there for him, and so was the club.

"The President of FC Barcelona has got in contact to offer the club's full medical team. I think that says it all. Many institutions have contacted the club to wish Berizzo well and I want to thank everyone for this."

Berizzo enjoyed a playing career that saw him turn out for Newell's Old Boys, Atlas and River Plate before moving to Europe, where he played a season with Marseille. He then spent the end of his career in Spain with Celta and Cadiz.

A centre-back, he turned out 13 times for Argentina between 1996 and 2000.

His career as a head coach began in 2011 with Estudiantes in Argentina, before stints at O'Higgins in Chile and Celta in Spain. After three productive years at Balaidos, he moved to Sevilla in the summer, where he has enjoyed a promising start to his reign. Agencies