Former Liverpool chairman and owner David Moores dies aged 76

Former Liverpool chairman and owner David Moores has died at the age of 76.

Moores, who was chairman of the Reds for 16 years, became honorary life president after selling his majority stake in the club in 2007. He died on Friday morning just weeks after his wife of 39 years, Marge, passed away.

A statement from Liverpool read: "Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former chairman and owner David Moores. The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with David’s family and friends at this difficult time."

READ MORE: Luis Diaz prompts X-rated Jurgen Klopp outburst as Liverpool duo send message

READ MORE: RB Leipzig boss Domenico Tedesco makes Liverpool admission after friendly

While his uncle, Sir John Moores, founded the Littlewoods retail empire and was twice chairman of Everton in the 1960s and 1970s, David was a devout Liverpool supporter. His family had a majority stake in the club for more than 50 years and he became chairman in September 1991 when taking over from Noel White.

He was responsible for the appointment of Roy Evans, Gerard Houllier and later Rafael Benitez as manager during his tenure, a period in which Liverpool won 10 major honours, the most memorable being the Champions League triumph over AC Milan in Istanbul in May 2005.

Moores also became the first Liverpool chairman to sack a manager since 1956 when he axed Graeme Souness from the hotseat in January 1994.

Liverpool chairman David Moores and manager Gerard Houllier with the UEFA Cup on a parade to display the team's three trophies won in 2001 (Clive Brunskill\Allsport)

The need for greater investment in the club prompted Moores to sell in 2007 to American investors Tom Hicks and George Gillett ahead of Dubai International Capital, a decision he later regretted given it sparked the most tumultuous period in the club's history.

Moores quit Liverpool's board of directors in 2009 after admitting he had been "heartbroken and let down" by Hicks and Gillett and urged the duo to leave the club several months before their eventual ousting in October 2010.

"I was aware the game was changing beyond all recognition and deeply worried, too, about my ability to continue underwriting the financial side," said Moores. "The Abramovich era was upon us and I knew that I could never compete.

"Since resigning from the board I have not set foot inside Anfield - and it hurts. I hugely regret selling the club to George Gillett and Tom Hicks. I believe that, at best, they have bitten off much more than they can chew."

Moores eventually returned to Anfield for the first time in more than a decade to watch Liverpool beat Everton 5-2 in the Merseyside derby in December 2019.

READ NEXT:

• RB Leipzig request Liverpool friendly rematch with Darwin Nunez condition

• Darwin Nunez just learned truth about Liverpool squad right before his first goal

• Harvey Elliott makes Darwin Nunez laugh after first Liverpool goals

• Darwin Nunez faces big challenge as dangerous partnership is reunited

• Andy Robertson reveals Liverpool squad reaction to bizarre Darwin Nunez criticism