Sir Kenny Dalglish has revealed he is receiving treatment for cancer. The Liverpool legend, 75, confirmed the diagnosis on Tuesday having mistakenly posted about his treatment earlier in the day.

Liverpool have said: “The support, best wishes and love of everyone at Liverpool FC are, and will be, with Sir Kenny and his family.”

Dalglish wrote: “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.”

Liverpool have also requested privacy for Dalglish as he continues his treatment. The Scot, who started his playing career with Celtic and also managed Blackburn Rovers – whom he led to the Premier League title in 1995 – and Newcastle, is widely considered Liverpool’s greatest player and is the most revered, not only for his outstanding talent as a player and a manager but in how he led the club through the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

Another Liverpool legend, John Barnes, also revealed on Tuesday he has had his prostate removed after a cancer diagnosis but is now “fine”.

“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,” the 62-year-old told Times Radio. “I’m fine. I have my PSA [test] and everything is OK. A lot of men don’t want to admit it or want to have it done because it makes them feel less of a man. Men have to bite the bullet and swallow their pride and admit if they have problems.”