Peter Cormack dies aged 78 as Liverpool pay tribute to title-winning former player

Liverpool have paid tribute to former midfielder Peter Cormack, who won the UEFA Cup and FA Cup during a four-year spell with the club, after he passed away aged 78

Former Liverpool midfielder Peter Cormack has died aged 78.

The Scot played for Liverpool between 1972 and 1976, helping the club win two First Division titles, UEFA Cup and the FA Cup. Signed by Bill Shankly, he was a key part of the team during a successful era and also featured under the management of Bob Paisley.

After joining from Nottingham Forest in 1972, Cormack helped Liverpool win the First Division title and UEFA Cup double in his first season with the club. He contributed to another league title win in 1975/76 and the FA Cup in 1973/74.

Cormack made 178 appearances and scored 26 goals for the Reds. "The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with Peter’s family and friends at this very sad and difficult time," Liverpool said in a statement. Cormack's son Peter revealed in 2020 that his father had been battling dementia.

Cormack started his career with Hibernian, spending seven years with the Scottish side before moving to Forest in 1970. He earned nine caps for Scotland and went on to play for Bristol City before ending his career with Hibs and Partick Thistle.

Hibernian wrote: "Everyone at Hibernian FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former Hibee Peter Cormack at the age of 78. Rest in peace, Peter."

After retiring due to a knee cartilage issue, Cormack went into management, taking charge of Partick Thistle for four years before stints at Cypriot side Anorthosis, the Botswana national team, Cowdenbeath and Greenock Morton.

He was revered at Liverpool, with legendary manager Shankly describing him as "the last piece of the jigsaw". “When I got the call from Bill Shankly I would have willingly run all the way from Nottingham to Anfield to meet him,” Cormack told the Liverpool Echo in 2013.

“That July morning in 1972 I sat nervously, twitching like a wet behind the ears teenager about to set out on his football career, nothing like the battle hardened pro with 10 years’ first team experience and several Scotland caps that I was."

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