A cast of Liverpool greats were at Anfield on Sunday to watch the Reds clinch a record-breaking top-flight title.
With the majority of those successes achieved in the 1970s and ‘80s, many from that era were bound to be present to see Liverpool catch Manchester United’s tally of 20.
Sir Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and Jan Molby were among the former greats who saw the 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, as was ex-captain Alan Hansen. The sight of the ex-defender looking overjoyed at Liverpool’s latest triumph was a particularly welcome sight.
There were fears last year that Hansen may have seen his last league success for the Reds when he was admitted to hospital in June. He was described as “seriously ill” by Liverpool in a statement and the club also sent its thoughts to Hansen’s family at what was a difficult time. Graeme Souness and Gary Lineker were among those to pay tribute to the former Match of the Day pundit last summer.
But the former Scotland international was discharged from hospital just a few weeks later and continued his recovery at home. “Alan, Janet, Adam, Lucy and family would like to thank everybody for their wonderful messages of love and support. It has been overwhelming and has helped enormously,” Hansen’s family said in a statement as they shared the good news.
He was pictured playing golf the following month and the 69-year-old looked in great health as he collected an MBE in March for services to football and broadcasting. In October last year, Hansen was invited back to former club Partick Thistle as part of a legends event and received a warm round of applause after stepping onto the pitch.
“It feels sensational,” he said. “It’s great to be here, as I haven’t been here in a long, long time. I’ve got so many happy memories, in particular with that team in ’76, that team was fantastic. As soon as you went into the dressing room here, you just laughed and laughed. Thank you very much for having me here.”
Hansen joined Liverpool from 1977 and won eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups and three League Cups during his time at Anfield, before retiring in 1991. He made 620 appearances for the Reds, the 10th highest in the club’s history.
What the one-time center-back will have made of Tottenham Hotspur’s defending on Sunday is another matter, but he certainly was delighted to see Liverpool record another league triumph.
