Liverpool legend Alan Hansen will current the Premier League trophy to Virgil van Dijk this weekend because the membership’s superb previous and current unite for the title celebrations.
Hansen was the final captain to raise the championship silverware in entrance of a full Kop, main Sir Kenny Dalglish’s aspect to the title .
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However there may be added poignancy in his participation on this event, coming slightly below a yr after the 69-year-old frolicked in hospital recovering from severe sickness.
There was deep concern for Hansen final June, the a tribute to the regard wherein he’s held for his legacy as a participant and broadcaster.
Now again to well being, Hansen – who was a Telegraph Sport columnist and famend BBC pundit following his embellished enjoying profession – was current at Anfield when .
Public appearances have been uncommon since his retirement from media duties in 2014. He has remained an Anfield common, after all, however his presence this weekend will heighten the feelings and add to the occasion ambiance, permitting the Kop to point out their appreciation for him as a lot as the trendy aspect.
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Former Scottish worldwide Hansen is among the most celebrated and profitable footballers within the historical past of British soccer.
Graham Souness, Alan Hansen and Kenny Dalglish have a good time profitable the league title in Could 1980 – Getty Photographs
He gained the league title eight instances throughout his 620 appearances for the Merseyside membership, lifting the trophy as captain 3 times. He additionally gained three European Cups with Liverpool and was captain after they gained the league and FA Cup double in 1986.
In an act of unparalleled humility, Hansen selected to not raise the FA Cup as membership captain in 1989, as a substitute permitting Ronnie Whelan to take action. Regardless of enjoying within the ultimate win over Everton at Wembley, Hansen had solely just lately returned from harm and felt his stand-in ought to have the honour.
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It’s also becoming that Hansen is handing over the trophy to Van Dijk provided that the Dutchman has confirmed himself the trendy successor to the elegant centre-back. Liverpool might boast many good and profitable centre-backs since Hansen’s retirement as a participant in 1991, most notably Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher.
Nevertheless, it was solely when Van Dijk signed in January 2018 that the membership actually felt that they had signed Hansen’s successor. If an all-time best Liverpool XI have been chosen, Hansen and Van Dijk can be the centre-back companions.
Hansen shall be joined for the trophy ceremony by Mark and Jo McVeigh from the Owen McVeigh Basis. Mark and Jo established the muse in 2015 after the passing of their son, Owen, from leukaemia and have labored tirelessly on behalf of Liverpool’s Alder Hey Kids’s Hospital.
A bunch of former Anfield legends shall be in attendance this weekend, with former supervisor Jurgen Klopp anticipated to be amongst them. Klopp is again on Merseyside on Friday for a gala dinner on behalf of the Liverpool FC Basis. He has not returned to Anfield since his emotional exit a yr in the past, however vowed to return when the title was gained.
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Liverpool have made essentially the most of their probability to have a good time their newest title win after they have been denied the prospect to host a full stadium and city-wide occasion due to the 2020 pandemic, when Jordan Henderson lifted the trophy.
The membership anticipate round 750,000 followers to prove for a on Financial institution Vacation Monday.
