:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53895577/GerrardLFCLegends.0.jpg)
The LFC community has been in mourning this week after the death of Ronnie Moran. The former player, captain, coach, caretaker manager, physio, tea lady, (I could go on), passed away on Wednesday at the age of 83. Since then, players and staff (both current and former) have spoken out on Moran’s service to the club and the impact he had on their careers and their time at Liverpool.
Before kickoff in today’s charity friendly between Liverpool Legends and Real Madrid Legends (supporting the LFC Foundation), a minute’s applause was given in tribute to Moran. Every Red on the pitch today had a story about Ronnie, and every fan in attendance knew how much he meant to the club.
It probably won’t come as a surprise to hear that Steven Gerrard had plenty to say about the co-founder of the famous Bootroom at Anfield.
Following today’s match— which Liverpool won 4-3, including a stupendous late goal and three assists from #8— Gerrard spoke to the official club site and dedicated the win to Moran.
"Today was all about enjoyment and on behalf of myself and everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club we'd like to thank Real Madrid, all the players for coming today, all the supporters for coming out in numbers to support the Foundation. And we'd like to mention 'Mr Liverpool', Ronnie Moran and dedicate this victory to him."
Gerrard continued:
"It's been a difficult week for the current players, the ex-players, the supporters, but none more so than Ronnie's family. So on behalf of everyone at the club, we're behind them and hopefully today's victory cheers them up that little bit."
There’s no good time to lose someone, and for Liverpool fans there was never an ideal time to say goodbye to Ronnie Moran. But having him leave us days before this friendly that featured a reunion of Anfield luminaries, and a week and a half before the next Derby, seems especially cruel. Ronnie Moran would’ve loved today, surely. Here’s hoping he heard us all clapping for him anyway.