Liverpool great Alan Hansen 'seriously ill' in hospital as Reds release statement

Liverpool have confirmed that club legend Alan Hansen is ‘seriously ill’ in hospital. The Reds released a statement regarding the 68-year-old, who made 630 appearances for the club in a distinguished playing career.

“The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital,” they said.

“A defender of the utmost elegance, Hansen’s outstanding raft of honours across a 14-year spell with the Reds – he joined from Partick Thistle in 1977 – included eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups and three League Cups.

“The club is currently in contact with Alan’s family to provide our support at this difficult time. Our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and all of the Hansen family.

“We will provide any further updates as we receive them in due course. We request that the Hansen family’s privacy is respected at this time.”

Hansen joined the Merseyside club from Partick Thistle in 1977, and proceeded to spend 14 years there. The centre-back went on to play his part in eight Division 1 title wins, as well as three European Cup triumphs.

He also won 26 caps for Scotland, although his international career was tainted after he was controversially dropped ahead of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Hansen would later go into punditry, becming synonymous with the Match of the Day programme on BBC.

He was employed by the BBC for 22 years as the main pundit for their football coverage. Hansen opted to step down in 2014, having been credited for bringing a new dimension to analysis – famous for savaging what he felt was poor defending.

And in August 1995, he famously criticised then Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with a comment that went down in football folklore. Speaking after Ferguson’s young side lost 3-1 to Aston Villa on the opening day of the 1995-96 season, he quipped “you can’t win anything with kids.”

United duly went on to win a Premier League and FA Cup double that season. But Hansen would later reflect favourably on the comment, saying “it made me as a pundit.”

Since the news, a number of high-profile figures have offered well-wishes, with former referee Keith Hackett posting on social media: “Sorry to learn that Liverpool’s Alan Hansen is currently in intensive care. Such a wonderful player and a delight to referee. I send my best wishes for a speedy recovery.”