Scotland, Liverpool and Celtic great Sir Kenny Dalglish is undergoing treatment for cancer.
The legendary forward and former manager wanted to keep the news private but confirmed the diagnosis after accidentally sharing the news initially in an “inadvertent social media post”.
“I am currently undergoing treatment for cancer,” Dalglish, 75, wrote on social media. “Unlike my mobile phone use, the treatment is going well.
“Ideally, this would have remained private because that’s the way it should be, but my useless technology skills have forced my hand.
“Obviously I did not mean to make this matter public so I would appreciate it if the privacy of my family and myself are respected.
“As ever, thank you to the wonderful medical staff who have shown incredible care and discretion, not just for me but for many, many others. They are a credit to themselves.”
The former forward scored 30 goals – a joint national record alongside Denis Law – in 102 appearances for Scotland and is the country’s most capped player.
He scored 167 goals in 320 appearances for Celtic between 1969 and 1977, winning four league titles and four Scottish Cups.
Dalglish signed for Liverpool for a British record fee of £440,000 and spearheaded a golden era for the club, winning three European Cups and eight First Division titles across his 515 appearances.
He was appointed player-manager with the Reds in 1985, a spell in which he also guided Liverpool to two FA Cups, as well as leading the club through the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.
He later went on to manage Blackburn – where he won the Premier League in 1995 – Newcastle, Celtic and Liverpool again in 2011-2012.
In a statement, Liverpool said: “The support, best wishes and love of everyone at Liverpool FC are, and will be, with Sir Kenny and his family.
“The club would also like to underscore his request for privacy moving forward.”
Ian Rush, who played alongside Dalglish at Liverpool, posted: “The King is one of the strongest and most positive people I’ve ever known. If anyone can face this battle with courage and determination, it’s King Kenny. We’re all behind you.”
England and Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, who Dalglish signed from Sunderland in 2011, said he had contacted the Scot because he has been “a huge figure in my whole career”.
Henderson, who spent 12 years at Anfield, told BBC Sport: “It was a big shock but just sending all the love and prayers to him and his family – hopefully he can make a strong recovery and he’s back to his fighting self in high spirits soon.”
Former Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock, who plays golf with Dalglish, added: “It’s just a sad day because he’s done so much for cancer charity, him and Marina Dalglish. Obviously we are all behind him and hopefully he recovers from it.”
The news emerged a day after another Liverpool great, Kevin Keegan, revealed he has stage four cancer.
