Former Liverpool captain Tommy Smith dies aged 74

Former Liverpool captain Tommy Smith also known as the "Anfield Iron" has died at the age of 74, the premier league football club has announced.

Mr Smith made 638 appearances for the Reds between 1960 and 1978.

During his time at Anfield, Smith won the league title four times, the European Cup, the FA Cup twice and the UEFA Cup twice.

Speaking to Liverpool's official website, Mr Smith's daughter Janette Simpson said: "Dad died very peacefully in his sleep shortly after 4.30pm today at Green Heyes nursing home in Park Road, Waterloo, Crosby.

"I was on my way to see him when he passed a couple of minutes before I arrived.

"Dad was only in here since the end of January and prior to that had been living in a care and sheltered accommodation complex for three years in Maghull."

Ms Simpson added: "He had been growing increasingly frail and suffering from a variety of ailments over the last three months especially. We are obviously all devastated."

Mr Smith's former Liverpool team-mate Phil Thompson told Sky Sports that his fellow defender was an "icon".

"I loved him from the Kop, because of his passion, commitment and never-say-die attitude," he said.

"To go on and play with him, rub shoulders with him, go into battles with him... he was iconic. He wanted and desired the points every week."

Jamie Carragher, who's also a European Cup winner in a red shirt like Mr Smith, added: "No matter what came before, or what comes after, there will never be another Tommy Smith."

Liverpool posted a video of former player and manager Kenny Dalglish, who credited Smith with helping him settle at the club.

"It's very sad," Dalglish said. "Tommy was a fantastic servant to Liverpool Football Club. He left just after I came, when I came down in 1977... he was an integral part of the dressing room and looked after me, helping me settle in.

"He was a great advert for Liverpool Football Club, the way he conducted himself. His memories will be there forever."