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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen

Former Liverpool defender Max Thompson has died aged 66

Former Liverpool defender Max Thompson - who was the Reds' youngest-ever player for 36 years - has died aged 66.

Legendary manager Bill Shankly handed the youngster his debut against Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the 1973-74 season at the age of 17 years and 129 days, in the iconic Scots last campaign in charge.

In a tribute, the club said: "Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former player Max Thompson.

"Thompson, once the Reds' youngest ever player, has sadly passed away at the age of 66.

"The Liverpool-born defender joined the club as an apprentice before being rewarded with a professional contract.

"At the age of 17 years and 129 days, Thompson was handed his senior debut by Bill Shankly with a start in the final game of the 1973-74 season, a 1-1 draw away at Tottenham Hotspur.

"That club record would stand until May 2010 when Jack Robinson appeared as a 16-year-old in a Premier League fixture with Hull City"

The Liverpool-born centre-back would feature for the club against Real Sociedad during their UEFA Cup campaign in 1975-76., remaining at the football club until 1977.

Following his time at Anfield, Thompson went on to make over 200 appearances in his career turning out for the likes of Blackpool, Swansea City, Bournemouth, Fleetwood and Swansea as well as loan spells with American outfit Dallas Tornado and Seattle Sounders.

Thompson would return to Liverpool in the early 1990s as a physiotherapist after taking a football injuries course at the historic Lilleshall complex after his playing career.

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