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Jurgen Klopp has hailed Ray Clemence as an “extraordinary player and wonderful person” after the Liverpool legend died on Sunday at the age of 72.
Clemence, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005 and also received treatment for a brain tumor, made 665 appearances during a 14-year club career.
He signed at age 18 for £ 18,000 from Scunthorpe in 1967 and won five First Division titles, three European Cups, two UEFA Cups, the European Super Cup, the FA Cup and the League Cup.
Klopp said: “This is an extremely sad time for everyone associated with Liverpool FC and we, as the current team and leadership, send all our love to the family.”
“We must never forget that great players make great teams and clubs. You only need to listen to the LFC legends of their day to understand their importance.
Clemence won three European Cups with Liverpool
“They say it better than I do; that Ray Clemence is one of the reasons our club is so special all these years later. He was one of the cornerstones on which much of the success of this club was built.
“Our feeling at this time is of course overwhelming sadness, but also thanks. Our fans will fondly remember an extraordinary player and wonderful person who contributed so much to Liverpool Football Club.
“He and his loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers. You will never walk alone.”
Sir Kenny Dalglish also paid tribute, tweeting: “Clem was a fantastic teammate and it’s great to be around.
“I will never forget how he helped me settle in at Anfield. Our thoughts are with the Clemence family. RIP Clem.”
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Ian Rush added: “RIP Ray Clemence. It was an honor meeting you and having the opportunity to play with you.”
As well as establishing himself as arguably the greatest goalkeeper in Liverpool history, Clemence also enjoyed a long international career, winning 61 games for England in 11 years.
However, he would surely have won many more had he not competed with Peter Shilton, who won a record 125 caps, for the number 1 jersey.
Speaking to Sky News, Shilton said: “I always considered Ray a true friend, and we were also true rivals for 10 years in total.
“Ray has been struggling with his illness for quite a few years and I texted him when he was in the hospital and he said, ‘I’m struggling a bit, Shilts.’
“I told him, ‘There are so many people who want Ray to improve,’ and he sent a thumbs up. He was a definite fighter, but he’s definitely a loss for the game.
“The thing about Ray is that he always kept his feet on the ground, he was a good boy and everyone loved him very much.
“We always laugh a lot, and that’s the thing with Ray, he had a good personality, a great character.
“I started a lot earlier as a professional and Ray came a little later. He had natural ability, reflexes, agility.
“He’s up there with the best goalkeepers of all time.”
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Clemence left Liverpool to join Tottenham in 1981, winning another FA Cup and UEFA Cup before retiring in 1988 after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury.
His former Spurs teammate Ossie Ardiles tweeted: “I am very saddened to hear the news of Raymondo’s passing. He was a great goalkeeper, a wonderful teammate, a friend.”
“He fought this disease to the end. We will miss you. Rest in peace my friend.
“My family and my thoughts and prayers go out to Vee, his family and friends.”
Clemence then went on to become a coach and spent 17 years as part of the backroom staff with the England team, whose players wore black armbands to commemorate him during their Nations League game in Belgium on Sunday night.
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Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said: “I am very sorry for him and his family. As a player, he was one of the best of all time.”
“Working with him was fantastic. I really wanted to keep him while he was England coach. He was positive, he was happy, he had a good mood.
“He was also very skilled as a goalkeeping coach. When I started the job, I asked him who the best goalkeeper was, and he chose a few times. I trusted him 110 percent.
“He was a great man to me, not only professionally, but also a great man personally and we became close friends.”
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Fabio Capello also shared his memories of Clemence, saying: “Ray was a fantastic person and a good friend. He was a very important member of the England coaching staff, loved and respected by all.
“When I first came to England, I remembered Ray as a brilliant goalkeeper with Liverpool, Tottenham and the national team. He was also an excellent goalkeeping coach.
“A gentleman who had a great sense of humor. We often played golf together with Sir Trevor Brooking, something I always enjoyed.
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“I really appreciated his knowledge and loyal support while he was coach of England. We will miss him very much. I would like to send my condolences to all of Ray’s family.”
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