With 620 games played for the Reds, Hansen, now 68, is ranked among their all-time top 10.
He achieved a “outstanding raft of honours”—eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups, and three League Cups—after moving from Partick Thistle to Anfield in 1977.
Nicknamed Jocky by his teammates, Liverpool described him as a “defender of the utmost elegance” who captained the team for four years.
The club posted a statement on its website stating, “Everyone at Liverpool FC is thinking of and supporting our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital.”
Our thoughts, prayers, and hopes are with Alan and the entire Hansen family during this trying time. The club is now in communication with Alan’s family to provide our support.
“We will provide any further updates as we receive them in due course, and we request that the Hansen family’s privacy is respected at this time.”
Between 1979 and 1987, Hansen also made 26 appearances for Scotland.
Horrible news, according to Gary Lineker, his old coworker on Match of the Day, who posted on X. I’m thinking of Alan, Janet, and the entire family.
As the head of the former players’ association Forever Reds, former teammate John Aldridge stated: “As former LFC players, all of our thoughts are with Alan (Jocky) Hanse.”