Gerry Byrne dead: Former Liverpool defender and England World Cup winner dies aged 77

Byrne famously played through the 1965 FA Cup final with a broken collarbone and was part of England's victorious 1966 World Cup squad

Former Liverpool defender Gerry Byrne has died aged 77 (Getty Images)

Former Liverpool and England defender Gerry Byrne has died at the age of 77, the club have confirmed.

Liverpool-born Byrne had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and the Premier League club released a statement on Saturday to announce his death.

Byrne famously played through extra-time in Liverpool’s 1965 FA Cup final despite breaking his collarbone, with the Reds going on to lift the trophy.

Byrne enjoyed success on Merseyside, winning to League Championships and a Second Division title as well as the FA Cup victory, and 40,000 fans turned out at Anfield to celebrate his testimonial match in April 1970.

Byrne was also a member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad, although he missed out on selection for the team that won the final at Wembley.

However, it’ll be Byrne’s FA Cup heroics that will be most fondly remembered, where he played on despite fracturing his collarbone in the seventh minute in a collision with Leeds midfielder Bobby Collins. Byrne pleaded with the team’s physio not to tell the manager, Bill Shankly, and he went on to play the full 90 minutes as well as extra-time, with Liverpool triumphing 2-1 at Wembley.

Gerry Byrne (top right) was part of Liverpool's title-winning 1963/64 side (Getty Images)

Ian Callaghan, Liverpool’s record appearance holder, said that Byrne’s desire to remain on the pitch despite the obvious pain of his injury was nothing short of “incredible and unbelievable”.

"What Gerry did in 1965 was incredible,” Callaghan told the Liverpool Echo.

"He broke his collarbone early in the match and then played right through the game, through extra time and even crossed for Roger (Hunt) to score the first goal.

"To play almost two hours with a broken collarbone was unbelievable.”

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge wrote on Twitter: “Sad news for football today! Gerry Byrne passed away. It was a massive honour to have met him. What a Tough Gentleman, RIP. YNWA.”

Ex-Liverpool manager Roy Evans added: “One of our great 1965 boys sadly passed away today Gerry Byrne a top man. Our thoughts are with his family and all his friends Rip YNWA.”