Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar has revealed the horrifying experiences he lived through in the army in modern-day Zimbabwe – including the first time he killed.

Grobbelaar remains a cult hero at Anfield – he won 13 major trophies in 14 years at the club, including the 1984 European Cup after a penalty shoot-out victory over Roma.

Although known and loved for his talent and eccentricity on the field of play, Grobbelaar lifted the lid on his experiences of war in an extraordinary interview.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar has revealed his horrendous experience of war

He was a teenager when he was conscripted into the Rhodesian army in 1975, and fought in Zimbabwe's war of independence.

Now 60, Grobbelaar told the Guardian: 'My first time was at dusk. As the sun sinks you're seeing shadows in the bush. You cannot recognise much until you see the whites of their eyes. It's you or them. You shoot, you drop and there's overwhelming gunfire.

'You hear voices on your side: "Hey, corporal, I'm hit." You whistle to shut them up otherwise we're all getting killed. When the firefight is finished you see bodies everywhere. The first time everything in your stomach comes up through your mouth.'

Grobbelaar was a teenager when he was conscripted into the Rhodesian army in 1975

When asked how many men he killed, Grobbelaar admitted: 'I couldn't tell you. This is why I've always lived my life for today. I can only say sorry for the past. I can't change it.'

After leaving the army, Grobbelaar played in South Africa and Canada before moving to England to play for Crewe Alexandra and later Liverpool.

He told the Guardian that football 'saved' him, adding: 'It kept me away from the dark thoughts of war.'

Grobbelaar played 440 league games for Liverpool. As well as the European Cup, he won six First Division titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups.