Times like this make me wish there was Internet forums around in the 60s and 70s
What would folk have written about Alan Hansen, or Denis McQuade, or Alan Rough! Legends now, but I bet Stadtler and Waldorf who sit near me in the JHS would've ripped into them week after week. They'd deny it now, of course.
In short - give the wee (big) guy a break. I could write a very long list of experienced centre backs we've had who would be waaaay behind Liam in the pecking order.