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| The former Ireland international won a league, League Cup and European Cup treble with Liverpool in the 1983-84 season |
Former Liverpool striker Michael Robinson has died at the age of 61, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
The former Ireland international, who won a league, League Cup and European Cup treble with Liverpool in the 1983-84 season, also played for Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers before ending his career with Spainโs Osasuna.
Leicester-born Robinson stayed in Spain after his playing career finished in 1989 and became a respected television commentator, pundit and presenter.
โLiverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former player Michael Robinson, aged 61,โ the club said in a statement.
Robinson had said in December 2018 that he had a malignant melanoma for which doctors said there was no cure.
โWith tremendous sadness we inform you of Michaelโs death. It leaves us with a great emptiness but also countless memories full of the same love you have shown him,โ his family wrote on his Twitter account.
City, Brighton, Osasuna and Barcelona were among other clubs who took to social media to pay tribute to Robinson, while world number two tennis player Rafa Nadal described him as โone who always made us happy about sportโ in a message on Twitter.
After spells with Preston North End, City and Brighton, Robinson joined Liverpool โ the team he supported as a boy โ in August 1983 as a back-up to Ian Rush.
โYouโll never walk alone Michaelโฆ Rest in peace,โ former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso tweeted.
Robinson was capped 24 times by Ireland and scored four goals for them.
His former international team mate Mark Lawrenson, who also played with Robinson at several clubs, said: โGutted to hear of the passing of Michael Robinson (AKA The Cat). We played cricket together in our teens.
โHe followed me to PNE, Brighton, Republic of Ireland and finally Liverpool. He even bought my house off me in Hove. Itโs a sad day in sad times. RIP MATE.โ
Former England striker and BBC presenter Gary Lineker wrote of Robinson on Twitter: โNot only a fine footballer, but was also a great success post football in Spain, having his own television show there for many yearsโฆand that is quite an achievement. RIP Michael.โ
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos wrote: โI was lucky to meet Michael Robinson. My love to your family and friends. RIP Youโll Never Walk Alone.โ
REUTERS
