Liverpool legend Hansen discharged from hospital

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen has been released from hospital after a period of illness, the club has confirmed.

It had initially been announced on June 9 that Hansen was “seriously ill” in hospital, but the former Scotland centre-back is now set to continue his recovery at home.

A statement read: “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.

“We also hugely appreciate the ongoing respect that has been shown for our privacy as Alan continues his recovery.”

Hansen, who clinched eight English league titles and three European Cups during his illustrious career at Anfield, stood out as one of his generation’s most gifted players.

Signing from Scottish side Partick Thistle in 1977, Hansen amassed 620 appearances for Liverpool across a 14-year spell. His trophy haul included two FA Cups and three League Cups, complemented by 26 caps for Scotland.

Upon retiring from playing in 1991, Hansen transitioned to television punditry with the BBC, where he featured prominently on Match of the Day for 22 years until his retirement in 2014. His famous remark in 1995 — “you can’t win anything with kids” following a Manchester United loss to Aston Villa — became iconic in English football punditry. United later secured the double that season.

After leaving the BBC, Hansen largely withdrew from public life, declining most interview requests but occasionally participating in pro-am golf tournaments.

One of his notable appearances was at the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, where he presented a lifetime achievement award to his former team-mate and manager, Sir Kenny Dalglish.

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