Gary Lineker leads well-wishes to Alan Hansen after the Liverpool and Scotland icon is taken seriously ill in hospital - as Mark Lawrenson offers support to his former team-mate and fellow pundit

By Ian Ladyman and Abdi Rashid

Published: | Updated:

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen is seriously unwell after being rushed to hospital at the end of last week.

The former Liverpool and Scotland defender – also known for his 20 years as a pundit on Match of the Day – is understood to have fallen ill unexpectedly and taken to hospital close to his home in Southport.

On Sunday night his former MOTD host Gary Lineker said on X: ‘Horrendous news. Thoughts are with Alan, Janet and all the family’.


Hansen joined Liverpool for £100,000 from Partick Thistle in the summer of 1977 and went on to win eight league titles and three European Cups in a glittering 14-year career at his only English club.

The 68-year-old played 620 times for Liverpool and captained the club for four seasons. He also played 26 times for Scotland.

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen is seriously ill in hospital, the Reds revealed on Sunday evening

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen is seriously ill in hospital, the Reds revealed on Sunday evening

Gary Lineker took to X to send his well wishes to his former Match of The Day colleague

Gary Lineker took to X to send his well wishes to his former Match of The Day colleague 

Liverpool released a statement which said: ‘The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital.

‘A defender of the utmost elegance, Hansen’s outstanding raft of honours across a 14-year spell with the Reds included eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups and three League Cups.

‘The club is currently in contact with Alan’s family to provide our support at this difficult time, and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and all of the Hansen family. We request that their privacy is respected at this time.’

Hansen played for four Liverpool managers and won league titles under all of them. He was the last Liverpool captain to lift the league title back in 1990 before Jordan Henderson did so thirty years later.

Retiring in 1991 due to a knee problem, Hansen formed a formidable Match of the Day pairing with his old Liverpool partner Mark Lawrenson. Hansen eventually stepped away from the role and from the public eye in 2014.

Lawrenson was among those to offer their well wishes on social media, writing 'Come on Big Al - you can beat this - Love to Janet, Adam, Lucy and all the family'.

Liverpool provided an update on his condition via their social media channels on Sunday

Liverpool provided an update on his condition via their social media channels on Sunday

Meanwhile former Crystal Palace striker Mark Bright also sent well wishes to Hansen, saying: 'Wishing the LFC legend Alan Hansen a speedy recovery, love and thoughts with Janet, Lucy & Adam.' 

Everton FC posted: 'Get well soon, Alan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.' 

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, meanwhile replied with a heart and fingers crossed emoji. 

Left-back and fellow Scottish Andy Robertson posted a prayer, heart and Scotland flag emoji on Instagram. 

Similarly, ex-Chelsea captain John Terry posted a heart and a prayer emoji upon hearing the news of Hansen's illness.  

Match DayGary Lineker