ENGLAND and Liverpool legend Roger Hunt has died at the age of 83.
Hunt is regarded as one of the Reds’ best-ever strikers by the Kop faithful, scoring a staggering 285 goals in 11 years.
The former forward was also part of England’s 1966 World Cup squad, scoring three goals at the tournament as the Three Lions went on to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy.
On Tuesday, Liverpool sadly confirmed Hunt had passed away ‘peacefully at home following a long illness’.
In a short Twitter statement, Liverpool wrote: “We are mourning the passing of legendary former player Roger Hunt.
“The thoughts of everybody at Liverpool Football Club are with Roger’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.
“Rest in peace, Sir Roger Hunt 1938 – 2021.”
Hunt joined Liverpool at the age of 20 from amateur club Stockton Heath and spent 11-and-a-half seasons at Anfield.
The striker formed a fearsome partnership with Ian St John and helped the Reds win the First Division titles in 1964 and 1966.
Part of Bill Shankly’s incredible team, ‘Sir Roger’ also helped Liverpool win the 1965 FA Cup.
His incredible tally of 285 goals in all competitions stood until 1992, when Ian Rush finally surpassed him.
To this day, Hunt’s 244 league goals remain the most in the club’s history.
Current Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was quick to pay tribute to the legend.
The German said: “It’s really sad news and our thoughts and our love go to his family.
“Unfortunately, it feels too frequent in this moment we are saying farewell to these giants of our club.
“Roger Hunt comes second to no-one in his importance in the history of Liverpool FC, that much is clear.
“To be the goalscoring catalyst of the Shankly team to actually achieve promotion and then go on to win those precious league titles and the FA Cup puts him in a bracket of LFC legends who are responsible for making us the club we are today.
“Not only that, he was also a World Cup winner in 1966, too.
“I am told the Kop christened him ‘Sir Roger’ for all his achievements.
“A goalscorer who never stopped working to help his team-mates; I believe he would have fit in well within our current team.
“So, it is Sir Roger we will remember, honour and pay tribute to over the coming days.
“You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Ex-Liverpool striker John Aldridge tweeted his respects, writing: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear of the passing away of one, if not THE BEST Lfc strikers SIR ROGER HUNT.
“What a striker and a true Gentlemen, I had the great pleasure of being with him on many occasions.
“RIP My Nu 1 Legend and Hero. YNWA.”
In reference to St John, who died in May, former Reds ace Jan Molby added: “Take care of Sir Roger for us Saint. RIP Roger Hunt.”
Jamie Carragher tweeted: “RIP Sir Roger Hunt one of the greatest goal scorers our club has ever seen.
“Sir Roger along with the other Legends from the 60’s made @LFC the club it is today.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
