Neil Mellor, Preston North End Striker And Liverpool Cult Figure, Retires Aged 29 (VIDEO)

WATCH: Cult Kop Idol Neil Mellor Retires Aged 29

Liverpool academy product Neil Mellor has been forced to retire aged 29 due to a knee injury.

The former Preston North End striker revealed on Twitter he had to give up playing on "medical advice".

In 2004 Mellor played a pivotal role in Liverpool's memorable 3-1 win over Olympiakos in the final Champions League group stage game.

The Reds had to win by a two-goal margin, and the then-22-year-old scored one and assisted Steven Gerrard's ecstasy-inducing winner. Rafael Benitez's team would go on to win the competition.

Arguably the greatest greatest goal of his career came a month earlier though, when he volleyed in a stoppage-time winner against champions Arsenal in front of Anfield's Kop end.

He was loaned out to West Ham and Wigan Athletic before signing for Preston in August 2006.

But after 43 goals for PNE from 151 games, he has hung up his boots prematurely.