Welcome to a brand new series for Last Word On Football as we take a look at some of Liverpool’s most iconic figures. From players to managers, we look at who has an impact during their time at the club that no Liverpool fan will ever forget. First up in our series is the legendary Kenny Dalglish.
King Kenny was an icon for Liverpool throughout the 1980s helping Liverpool to several trophies including league titles and European cups. He is idolised by Liverpool fans and it’s no wonder he now has a stand at Anfield named after him.
Icons Of Liverpool: Kenny Dalglish
Dalglish arrived in 1977 for a then British transfer record of £440,000. An absolute bargain in today’s market and certainly he gave Liverpool everything in his 13 years wearing the red of Liverpool. He made over 500 appearances scoring 169 goals to fire Liverpool to six league titles, four league cups, an FA cup, one super cup and three European Cups.
He took over as player-manager in 1985 and was in the hot seat for six years before resigning in 1991. As Liverpool manager, he guided Liverpool to three league titles, two FA cups, four community shields and league cup glory when he returned as manager in 2011/12.
Kenny Dalglish: The Early Liverpool Years
Dalglish settled into Liverpool life fantastically making his debut in the 1977 community shield against Manchester United. His first goal for the Reds arrived on his league debut against Middlesbrough. Dalglish’s first Anfield appearance was one to saviour scoring in Liverpool’s win over Newcastle United. His first season was a huge success with Dalglish scoring 31 goals in 62 matches. Dalglish’s most poignant moment in his debut season came in the 1978 European Cup final as he scored the winning goal against Club Brugge.
The 1978/79 season saw Dalglish have his best scoring season notching 21 goals to fire Liverpool to the league title. His outstanding performances endeared him further to the Liverpool fans and he collected the FA writer’s player of the season award. The league title followed in 1979/80 but injuries disrupted the following campaign with Dalglish missing eight matches. He still helped Liverpool to European cup glory.
The 1981/82 season was an exciting campaign in more ways than one. Liverpool regained their supremacy at the top of English football and collected a league cup along the way. However, this was the first season we saw the iconic partnership of Dalglish and Rush. Both were imperious throughout their partnership with Rush taking more goalscoring responsibility. The Dalglish/Rush partnership excited English football and Dalglish was reaping the rewards. He collected another FA writer’s player of the season award for 1982/83.
Kenny Dalglish: A Successful Transition Into Player/Manager
Following Joe Fagan’s retirement in 1985, Dalglish took the managerial reigns and he didn’t look back. His six years as Liverpool manager saw him collect nine pieces of silverware including three league titles.
He won the double in his first season as manager and limited himself to just 21 appearances as the likes of Ian Rush continued to deliver. Dalglish scored the title-clinching goal against Chelsea in his first season as player/manager. The following season saw him prioritise younger players thereby limiting his appearances. Despite his decreased game time, Dalglish still averaged a goal every three games.
Ian Rush’s sale to Juventus in 1987 brought some upset but it allowed Dalglish to create the partnership of John Aldridge and Peter Beardsley. This deadly partnership fired Liverpool to the 1987/88 league title. He retired as a player in 1990 playing his final Liverpool game at the age of 39.
The Lows Of Management
While Dalglish experienced huge highs as Liverpool player/manager, there were several low points including a day no Liverpool fan will forget. Dalglish was in charge when 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster. The club was at rock bottom but Dalglish single handily picked the club again and led them to the 1989 FA Cup in honour of the victims.
His status as a Liverpool icon was further enhanced when he attended several of the victims’ funerals. Dalglish was outstanding during Liverpool’s time of pain and struggle. He remains a Liverpool hero and is quite rightly idolised for his behaviour and emotion during the Hillsborough disaster.
Following a 4-4 all draw in the FA Cup to Everton, Dalglish resigned as Liverpool manager in February 1991 after seeing his side throw the lead away four times. Dalglish’s resignation upset plenty of Liverpool fans but due to the stresses of the job and recent events finally catching up, you could understand his reasons for leaving.
The Second Coming
Dalglish returned to the Liverpool dugout in January 2011 following the sacking of Roy Hodgson. Initially, as caretaker manager, His first game back in the dugout was an FA Cup third-round defeat to Manchester United. He also lost his first league game back in charge losing to Blackpool.
Their rotten form prompted Dalglish to break the British transfer record to sign Newcastle striker Andy Carroll as well as Ajax striker Luis Suarez. He was eventually given the permanent role in May 2011. While he only lasted a year back at the club, he still managed to collect his ninth piece of silverware as Liverpool manager beating Cardiff City in the league cup final.
However, their league form was poor as Liverpool finished eighth in the Premier League missing out on Champions League football. Dalglish was sacked in May 2012 and certainly, his second spell wasn’t as brilliant as his first.
Kenny Dalglish: A True Liverpool Icon
Dalglish to this day remains a true Liverpool icon for his services on and off the pitch. His legacy remains strong with Anfield naming a stand after him in 2017. His services to football earnt him a knighthood and a place in Liverpool history. King Kenny remains a Liverpool idol and is truly loved by the fans and football club.
His goals and performances live long in the memory of many Liverpool fans. 15 years of service on the pitch and in the dugout brought plenty of success, highs and lows. King Kenny is a true Liverpool icon.
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