After three years in charge of New York City in Major League Soccer (MLS), Vieira returned to Europe, where he managed OGC Nice, Crystal Palace, RC Strasbourg and, most recently, Genoa.

The 75-year-old succeeds Frenchman Patrick Vieira, who was sacked last week after a poor run of form left the team three points above the relegation zone.

Jurgen Klopp has warned struggling Liverpool there is no room for "self-pity" as he fights to stop their troubled season spiralling further out of control.