'Football has lost one of its true greats' - Dalglish pays tribute to Keegan

[Getty Images] Sir Kenny Dalglish says he is "very saddened" by the passing of former Liverpool forward Kevin Keegan in a personal tribute on Instagram. "Kevin was one of the very best players of his generation and wore Liverpool's famous number seven shirt with great distinction," Dalglish wrote. "His achievements on the pitch were exceptional, but he was also a wonderful person and genuine gentleman. "Kevin's qualities didn't stop when he finished playing. He went on to become an outstanding manager, and what he built at Newcastle United brought belief, excitement and pride back to the football club. "He gave so many people wonderful memories and his teams played the game in a way that supporters loved to watch. "Football has lost one of its true greats." [Getty Images] Keegan's former Liverpool and England team-mate Phil Thompson echoed Dalglish's sentiment and said "it's a difficult time for everybody". "When I first heard the news, I was absolutely devastated," Thompson said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "But I've been listening to all the tributes and love for Kevin, and about all the love that he gave to everybody else. "He was a lovely man and that is above all his footballing exploits. "Humility poured out of Kevin's veins. He was just such a nice guy. "He never turned down an autograph or photograph. He was the best of all the people I have known in football and in sport. "There was an honesty in everything about him. He didn't have the greatest ability in the world, but he made the best of what he had which drove him forward. He knew how good he was. "Even as England manager, he knew his limitations and that is Kevin in a nutshell. "When he came to Liverpool, he was a star waiting to happen. We got a superhero in 1971 and he was a revelation. He was inspirational. "He hit it off with Bill Shankly and the two of them were inspired and it took us to new levels. He was the spark the football club needed at the time." Listen to a special Football Daily podcast which reflects on the life and legacy of Kevin Keegan on BBC Sounds