Liverpool legend Terry McDermott has thanked fans for their messages of support after revealing he is battling dementia.
The 69-year-old announced on Saturday he is in the early stages of Lewy body dementia after undergoing a series of hospital visits.
Winning five league titles and the European Cup on three occasions, McDermott scored 81 goals in 329 appearances at Anfield and is considered one of the Reds’ greatest players.
The former midfielder received thousands of messages of support after sharing his devastating news over the weekend.
READ MORE: 'It's not possible' - Jurgen Klopp makes Kostas Tsimikas Liverpool claim ahead of Chelsea fixture
Twitter user @WadeUpton10 wrote, “One of the very, very best. Unbelievable player and monumentally important in our history. Thoughts are with him,” while another, Dave Reardon, said, “My favourite player growing up, what a player absolute baller, stay strong Terry YNWA."
Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher tweeted a heart emoji in reply to the tweet from the club’s official account.
UEFA wrote: “Our thoughts are with you, Terry,” while the official England page tweeted, “We're saddened to hear this. Our thoughts are with you and your family, Terry.”
The former midfielder took to Twitter on Sunday morning to show his appreciation and said, “Many thanks to everyone for the messages of support, I’m touched and overwhelmed by them all.
“Each one is appreciated and will help me in the fight against it.
“Special thank you to @LFC for standing with me through this. #ynwa”
On Saturday, McDermott told Liverpool’s official website : "I’ve got to get on with it and I will. It’s the way I’ve been brought up. Nothing has come to me easily. I’m not frightened of taking it on and also, as we’ve seen, there are a lot of former players in a worse state than me.
“Battling is second nature. The worst thing was, until my condition was diagnosed you don’t know what’s going on. The number of ex-players being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s is frightening."
He tweeted on Sunday saying he was overwhelmed with the reaction to the news of his condition, saying "Many thanks to everyone for the messages of support, I’m touched and overwhelmed by them all.
"Each one is appreciated and will help me in the fight against it.
"Special thank you to LFC for standing with me through this #ynwa "
The Liverpool legend’s news came days after Manchester United icon Denis Law revealed he too is suffering with dementia. Sir Bobby Charlton is also battling the disease, while Tony Dunne, Bill Foulkes and David Herd were diagnosed before their deaths.
McDermott was in attendance for Liverpool’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Burnley and added, “I’ve been looking forward to going down to Anfield and seeing the lads, people I have known for years and having a good craic with them.
“Thankfully there are games coming up regularly now which I can go to.”
