Liverpool FC deeply saddened by passing of Kevin Keegan
Liverpool FC is deeply saddened and mourning the passing of the legendary Kevin Keegan.
The former Reds No.7, who appeared 323 times and scored 100 goals for the club across six seasons, died at the age of 75 on Monday after being diagnosed with cancer last year.
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Kevin's family and friends at this hugely difficult time.
One of just four Englishmen to win the Ballon d'Or, Keegan also represented Scunthorpe United, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United during a playing career in which he was regarded as a hero wherever he went.
Keegan received 63 caps for his country, too – including 31 as captain – and netted 21 times.
He then moved into management with spells at Newcastle (two), Fulham, Manchester City and the England national team.
Keegan's association with Liverpool began when he arrived from Scunthorpe as a 20-year-old in May 1971.
He endeared himself to Kopites soon after joining, scoring on his debut in the 1971-72 league opener against Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
A forward partnership for the ages with John Toshack would blossom, and with it came success for the second of Bill Shankly's great Liverpool teams.
Keegan produced 41 goal involvements (22 goals, 19 assists) in year two of his Anfield career, helping deliver the First Division title and a maiden European trophy.
In the two-legged UEFA Cup final with Borussia Monchengladbach, the bona fide superstar scored two of his side's goals and set up another in the 3-2 aggregate win.
He was the standout performer again in the 1974 FA Cup final with a double at Wembley to down Newcastle, where in the future he would be known as 'King Kev' for more terrific service.
The 1975-76 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award came on the back of another league and UEFA Cup double for the Reds.
Keegan had signalled his intention to move abroad at the end of 1976-77, shocking the footballing world given his status.
He signed off at Liverpool in the best way possible, though, by firing in 20 strikes en route to earning a third league winner's medal and lifting the club's first European Cup.
He won the Ballon d'Or in two of his three seasons at Hamburg and then returned to his homeland for the remainder of his time in football.
"Liverpool made me, not just as a footballer but as a person," Keegan said in 2011.
"The people I met – Shanks, Tommy Smith, Ian Callaghan, Ron Yeats – all these people you take something from.
"The fans made me. When they started singing my name… what am I, five foot seven with Cuban-heeled boots? But [because of them] I was six foot six."
Our 'Mighty Mouse', his legacy at Liverpool will be forever etched in history.
Rest in peace, Kevin Keegan
1951-2026