Liverpool great Sir Kenny Dalglish has tested positive for coronavirus but “remains asymptomatic”, his family have said in a statement.
The 69-year-old was admitted to hospital on Wednesday for treatment of an infection which required intravenous antibiotics.
Dalglish, who starred for Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland before a successful career in management, remains in hospital having “unexpectedly” tested positive for Covid-19.
The Dalglish family have released the following statement to supporters regarding Sir Kenny Dalglish. https://t.co/aNT5fXakFx — Liverpool FC (at 🏠) (@LFC) April 10, 2020
In a statement released by Premier League leaders Liverpool on Friday night, his family said: “In keeping with current procedures, he was subsequently tested for COVID-19 despite having previously displayed no symptoms of the illness.
“Unexpectedly, the test result was positive but he remains asymptomatic.
“Prior to his admission to hospital, Sir Kenny had chosen to voluntarily self isolate for longer than the advised period together with his family.
“He would urge everyone to follow the relevant government and expert guidance in the days and weeks ahead.
“He would also ask that they are given the space to do their jobs during what is an extremely challenging time for them and that his own family’s privacy is respected.
“He looks forward to being home soon. We will provide further updates as and when it is appropriate.
“He would like to take this opportunity to thank the brilliant NHS staff, whose dedication, bravery and sacrifice should be the focus of the nation’s attention at this extraordinary time.
“He would also ask that they are given the space to do their jobs during what is an extremely challenging time for them and that his own family’s privacy is respected.
“He looks forward to being home soon. We will provide further updates as and when it is appropriate.”
Dalglish is Scotland’s most capped player of all time and joint top scorer alongside Denis Law, having netted 30 goals in 102 appearances.
The forward broke through at Celtic and established himself as one of the best players in the club’s history, scoring 167 goals in 320 matches before moving to Merseyside in 1977.
Dalglish found the net 172 times in 515 appearances for Liverpool, winning 15 major honours during that time.
He went on to lead the Reds to three First Division titles as manager and oversaw Blackburn’s Premier League triumph in 1994/95.
Dalglish also coached Newcastle and had a caretaker stint at the Celtic helm, before returning to the Reds as manager between January 2011 and May 2012 – a period in which he lifted the League Cup.
He is now non-executive board director at Anfield, where the Centenary Stand was renamed in his honour three years ago.
