Liverpool legends Sir Kenny Dalglish and John Barnes reveal cancer battles as Kevin Keegan shares stage-four diagnosis

Sir Kenny Dalglish has revealed his cancer diagnosis, making him the third Liverpool star this week to come forward about their health.

Former England star John Barnes, 62, spoke about his prostate cancer diagnosis on Tuesday, telling Times Radio that “not many people know” about it.

Additionally, on Monday, former England and Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan revealed he has stage four cancer.

Barnes said: "I've had prostate cancer, I've had my prostate out, not many people know and it's a bit of a taboo subject because we support women with breast cancer and it's not even an issue. Whereas with men, the government say, 'yeah, prostate cancer, we need more awareness, we need people to come forward and in Black men it's more prevalent'. Men have to then bite the bullet and swallow their pride and admit if they have problems and say it. So it's a good thing that that has come out.

"A lot of men don't want to admit it or want to have it done because it makes them feel less than a man. But you're not, you're exactly the same, you're the same person and you're around and that's the main thing.”

Earlier in the day former Scotland, Celtic and Liverpool great Dalglish, 75, issued a statement about his own cancer diagnosis after mistakenly posting it on social media.

In an Instagram post, he said: “As my inadvertent social media post has indicated, I am currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

“Unlike my mobile phone use, the treatment is going well.

“Ideally, this would have remained private because that’s the way it should be, but my useless technology skills have forced my hand.

“Obviously I did not mean to make this matter public so I would appreciate it if the privacy of my family and myself are respected.

“As ever, thank you to the wonderful medical staff who have shown incredible care and discretion, not just for me but for many, many others. They are a credit to themselves.”

Among those wishing him well was his former club Liverpool.

During his career Dalglish won eight league titles as a player and manager at Liverpool between 1979 and 1990, and in 2018 he was knighted for services to football, charity and the city of Liverpool.

Sharing the statement his son, Paul, said in a message on X: "My Dad is my hero, my best mate, & the strongest man I know. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from him, it’s how to face challenges with courage, humour, & dignity. The treatment is going well & he’ll handle this the same way he’s handled everything else in life. Love you, Dad."

In January the family of former England, Liverpool and Newcastle player Keegan, 75, revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

Keegan's career began at Scunthorpe and he was signed by Liverpool in 1971, going on to win the Ballon d’Or – previously known as the European Footballer of the Year – twice.