Knee problems force Berger retirement

FORMER Liverpool midfielder Patrik Berger has retired from football at the age of 36 due to persistent knee problems.

By The Newsroom

Published 6th Jan 2010, 22:06 BST

Updated 6th Jan 2010, 22:30 BST

Berger, who spent seven years at Anfield before moving on to Portsmouth and Aston Villa, signed a two-year contract with Sparta Prague in May 2008.

Sparta coach Jozef Chovanec said: "Patrik told me yesterday, 'It's over. My knee doesn't support the burden any more'." Czech international Berger won 44 caps.