Former Liverpool captain and coach Ronnie Moran has passed away at the age of 83.
His son, Paul, revealed the news on social media.
He tweeted: ‘I am devastated to tell everyone on behalf of the family that my dad passed away this morning after a short illness.’
Moran was diagnosed with vascular dementia four years ago.
He played many important roles at Anfield, from player all the way to caretaker boss on two occasions. He made 379 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 17 goals.
During his 49-year stay the club won 13 league championships, four European Cups, two UEFA Cups, five FA Cups and five League Cups. He was also part of the heralded Liverpool Boot Room.
Liverpool are currently on a training break in Tenerife, and Reds players, minus those away on international duty, observed a one-minute silence, paying their respects to the man known as ‘Mr Liverpool’.
Manager Jurgen Klopp led the tributes to Moran, describing him as ‘a perfect role-model’.
Klopp said: ‘You will not have this a lot of times. It’s nice and it shows what a big value this is because it’s so rare.
‘Maybe more of us should try to be like him – and in him we had the perfect role model.
‘I am sure nobody can, or will, forget him. It’s a sad day, but on the other hand it is a day where everybody thinks about him and thinks about his very, very special story.
‘I had the honour of meeting him last year around the League Cup final.
‘Obviously I am not from Liverpool, I am not from England, and so I needed a little bit of help but when I heard about this very special story then it was really nice to meet him. It was a big honour for me.
‘Today is a very sad day for all of us. All of our thoughts and all of our love are with the family.’
In a club statement, Liverpool expressed how much Moran was revered at the club.
‘Liverpool Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Ronnie Moran. Moran, one of the most influential figures in the club’s history, has died at the age of 83,’ it read.
‘Ronnie is fondly remembered for his 49 years of service to Liverpool, during which time he represented the club with distinction as a player, coach, physio, reserve-team coach, assistant manager and caretaker manager.
‘The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ronnie’s wife Joyce, his children, family and many friends.’
By Steve Osborne                @BlizzardSteve75
