Liverpool announce death of club legend Willie Stevenson aged 85 as emotional statement posted

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Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 27/05/2025

- 19:39

Updated: 27/05/2025

- 22:00

Willie Stevenson was part of Liverpool's all-conquering team of the 1960s

Former Liverpool midfielder Willie Stevenson has died at the age of 85, the club announced on Tuesday evening.

Liverpool FC paid tribute to their former player in a statement, saying: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of former player Willie Stevenson.


"The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with Willie's loved ones at this sad time."

The Edinburgh-born left-half made 241 appearances for the Reds during the 1960s after being signed by legendary manager Bill Shankly from Rangers in October 1962 for £20,000.

Liverpool have announced the death of club legend Willie Stevenson aged 85

Liverpool have announced the death of club legend Willie Stevenson aged 85

GETTY

Stevenson scored 18 goals during his five-year spell at Anfield.

Stevenson was a key member of Shankly's successful Liverpool side of the 1960s, helping the club win two First Division titles in 1964 and 1966.

He was remarkably consistent, missing only nine league matches in his first four full seasons at Anfield.

In the 1963-64 championship-winning campaign, Stevenson featured in 38 of 42 league games while playing on the left of midfield.

He was also instrumental in Liverpool securing their first-ever FA Cup in 1965, a historic achievement for the club. The following season, he started all but one match as the Reds claimed another league title.

Stevenson also collected a runners-up medal in the 1966 European Cup Winners' Cup final.

One of Stevenson's most memorable moments came in the 1965 FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

Liverpool had remarkably missed six penalties in a row when they were awarded a spot kick whilst leading 1-0. Despite never having taken a penalty for the Reds before, Stevenson stepped up and converted, securing a 2-0 victory.

He then played the full 120 minutes as Liverpool defeated Leeds United 2-1 after extra time at Wembley to lift the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history.

Following this success, Stevenson remained Liverpool's regular penalty taker for the remainder of his Anfield career.

Willie Stevenson

Willie Stevenson has died aged 85

PA

Prior to joining Liverpool, Stevenson had made his name at Rangers, where he won the league in his first season and the Scottish Cup in his second. After losing his place to Scotland legend Jim Baxter, he briefly moved to Australia in 1962.

Stevenson left Liverpool for Stoke City in December 1967 after losing his place to Emlyn Hughes. He later played for Tranmere Rovers and had spells in Canada with Vancouver Whitecaps, as well as in Ireland and South Africa before retiring.

Following his football career, Stevenson settled in Macclesfield where he ran a contract cleaning company in the area.

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