Liverpool legend David Johnson dies at 71

Ex-England international David Johnson has passed away aged 71.

Nicknamed ‘The Doc’, Johnson is one of only two players to score for both Liverpool and Everton in the Merseyside derby.

The former striker played a pivotal role in Bob Paisley’s Liverpool side during the 1970s, which dominated the decade by winning four league titles and three European Cups.

After beginning his career at Everton in 1969, Johnson carved out a fruitful career at Ipswich and Liverpool before returning to Goodison Park in 1982.

During his time at Ipswich, the forward lifted the Texaco Cup under Sir Bobby Robson before carving out a sensational career at Anfield, which earned him a spot in the Ipswich Hall of Fame in 2016.

Despite only chalking up eight caps for England, the forward netted six times to boast an impressive goal-per-game ration for the Three Lions. 

He was part of Ron Greenwood’s England squad for during the Three Lions’ Euro 1980 campaign.

Former Liverpool star and England international David Johnson passed away at the age of 71

Known as ‘The Doc’, he emerged a fan favourite after netting 78 goals in six years at Anfield

He was part of Ron Greenwood’s England squad for the Euro 1980.

Fellow Liverpool legend John Aldridge took to social media to pay tribute to Johnson and tweeted: ‘Absolutely gutted to hear my good friend David Johnson (The Doc) passed away early today.

‘What a great bloke and a greet servant to LFC on and off the pitch. RIP. YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE PAL.’

Aldridge was joined by fellow Reds icon David Fairclough, who posted: ‘So sad to hear my great friend and Liverpool Legend David Johnson has passed away today.

‘Shared so many great moments and memories with ‘Jono’. Today is a very sad day. Condolences to all Dave’s family.’ 

Johnson started his career at Everton before carving out fruitful spells at Ipswich and Liverpool

The forward won four league titles and three European Cups with Liverpool under Bob Paisley

Everton released a statement on Tuesday, which read: ‘Everyone at Everton Football Club is saddened to learn of the untimely passing of David ‘Doc’ Johnson at the age of 71. Our thoughts are with David’s family and friends at this time.’

Ipswich also paid tribute to their former team-mate and wrote on Tuesday morning: ‘The Club are saddened to report the passing of former striker David Johnson. David represented the Blues from 1972-1976. May he rest in peace.’

During his early years at Everton, Johnson scored in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool in 1971.

The Reds lured him to Anfield from Ipswich in 1976 for a then club record fee of £200,000, and he went on to score for Liverpool against Everton four years later.

Despite sharing the dressing room with Kop legends such as Kevin Keegan, Ian Rush and John Toshack, Johnson emerged a fan favourite after making 213 appearances and netting 78 goals in six years at Anfield.

John Aldridge and David Fairclough took to social media to pay tribute to Johnson on Tuesday