Jurgen Klopp joins Reds legends paying tribute to Ronnie Moran
Wednesday 22 March 2017 21:08, UK
Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan and Ian Rush have been joined by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in paying homage to Ronnie Moran.
Former Liverpool captain Moran passed away on Wednesday morning, aged 83. The Crosby-born left-back, known as 'Mr. Liverpool', spent a remarkable 49 years at the club, as player, coach, physiotherapist and caretaker-manager.
His stint at the club coincided with a notably successful period for Liverpool, as the club won 44 trophies during his nearly five-decade long association. Tributes poured in on Wednesday, after Moran's son, Paul, announced the death.
"Today is a very sad day for all of us," Klopp said. "All of our thoughts and all of our love is with the family.
"Maybe more of us should try to be like him - and in him we had the perfect role model. I am sure nobody can, or will, forget him."
Moran, who also served as coach, took charge as caretaker manager on two occasions - most notably leading the Reds in the 1992 FA Cup Final. He enjoyed considerable success as a Liverpool player, later coaching the club under the likes of managers Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fogan and Dalglish.
Dalglish added that Moran's contributions to Liverpool, despite not receiving widespread plaudits, were truly significant to the club's development.
"The contribution and help he gave me was enormous and I'll be eternally grateful for that - both as a player and a manager," Dalglish said. "His contribution to the football club should never, ever be underestimated. Although it might be understated, and he might be understated, he made a massive contribution."
Keegan, who won three league titles as a Liverpool player, echoed Dalglish's comments:
"He's almost the foundation that it was built on," Keegan added. "Because he was there as a player before Shankley came, he was there with Shanks, he was there with Bob Paisley, he helped when Joe Fagan took over, he was there with Roy Evans. So, if you think about it, he is the one link to it all."
Ian Rush, who was coached by Moran, said: "In training, it wasn't the nine good things you'd done, it was the one bad thing and he kept on going at you.
"Everyone used to say 'watch out for Ronnie Moran, if he gets at you you're in trouble', and I was scared of him then!"
Former Reds winger John Barnes, on the other hand, remembers Moran as a coach who never allowed complacency to set in.
"He didn't get carried away, because he understands that to keep that hunger and desire for success," Barnes added. "When you get it you have to forget about it and move on."
