Former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen ‘seriously ill in hospital’

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Liverpool legend Alan Hansen is “seriously ill in hospital”, according to a statement released by the club on Sunday afternoon.

The defender made over 600 appearances for the Reds between 1977 and 1990 and also won 26 Scotland caps before going on to a successful career in television – becoming perhaps Match of the dayhis the most recognized expert during the program from 1992 to 2014.

According to Liverpool’s statement, he has now been hospitalized due to illness and they have asked for privacy for his family.

“The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently critically ill in hospital,” the statement read.

“A defender of the utmost elegance, Hansen’s remarkable haul of honors during 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.

“Jocky, as he was known to team-mates, is in the top 10 for all-time appearances for the club with 620 games played and the Scottish centre-back also served as Liverpool’s skipper for four seasons.

“The club is currently in contact with Alan’s family to offer their support at this difficult time and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and the entire Hansen family. We will provide any additional updates as we receive them in a timely manner and ask that the Hansen family’s privacy be respected at this time.”

Hansen’s ex Match of the day colleague Gary Lineker wrote on Twitter/X: “Terrible news. My thoughts are with Alan, Janet and all the family.”

Meanwhile, the BBC Match of the day the account said: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Match of the Day are with Alan and his family at this difficult time.”

After joining Liverpool from Scottish side Partick Thistle at the age of 22 in 1977, Hansen won eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups, four League Cups and a Uefa Super Cup in during a trophy-laden spell at Anfield.

He was also named in the PFA First Division Team of the Year on six occasions and the PFA Team of the Century as his reputation as a no-nonsense defender for one of English football’s most successful teams in history became cemented.

Remarkably, his post-playing career as a pundit was perhaps just as successful. As usual on match of the day he became renowned across the country for his outspoken views, particularly on Premier League teams’ defences, which he usually labeled as “diabolical” or “shocking”.

Perhaps his most memorable moment came during an episode of MOTD at the start of the 1995-96 season, where he confidently declared “you can’t win anything with kids” in reference to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester youth team United.

Of course, United – inspired by the ‘class of 92’, including the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville – won the Premier League title that season and dominated the 1990s under Ferguson.

Former team-mate John Aldridge, president of ex-players association Forever Reds, also sent a message of support, writing on Twitter/X: “All our thoughts as former LFC players are with Alan (Jocky) Hansen and his family. . Let’s hope he can get over his illness. ynwa.”

And Hansen’s long-time defensive center partner Mark Lawrenson posted on X: “Come on Big Al you can beat this… Love to Janet, Adam, Lucy and all the family….xx”