Former Liverpool defender Max Thompson has died at the age of 66, with the Reds paying tribute to the centre-back who had been the youngest player in their history.
Born in 1956, Liverpudlian Thompson signed professional terms with the Reds in 1973, and he earned his professional debut in a match against Tottenham at the end of the 1973-74 season, in what proved to be Bill Shankly's final campaign as manager.
Thompson would hold that record as the club's youngest ever player for 36 years, with the Reds paying tribute to him on Tuesday.
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."
After Liverpool, Thompson would go on to have spells with Blackpool, Swansea City and Bournemouth, as well as several stints in America with the likes of the Dallas Tornado, Seattle Sounders and Baltimore Blast.
Thompson became a physio after his playing career ended, performing the role for Liverpool and Southport.
