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Dalglish media thread

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Glen: He's made players smile

Glen Johnson believes getting the players smiling again has been the key to Kenny Dalglish's success in his second stint as Liverpool manager.

The Reds have scored in every league match since Dalglish returned to the dugout and a 3-0 victory over Newcastle at the weekend lifted them into a European spot.

Johnson thinks Liverpool are playing their best football since he arrived in 2009 - something he attributes to a new spirit in the dressing room.

"Since I've been here we've had good and bad times but with the last few games you could say this is the best we've played," the full-back told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Kenny has just brought the belief back, let the lads enjoy themselves and training has been good. The lads are happy day-to-day and look forward to the games.

"He's given us a bit of confidence and put a smile back on the lads' faces.

"We've got a great bunch of lads here. On and off the pitch we work hard for each other and off the pitch we're enjoying life with each other as well. It's a good group of boys."

Sunday's victory saw Liverpool leapfrog Tottenham into fifth place, and though Spurs have a game in hand, Johnson is confident he and his teammates can hold on to secure European football next season.

"There is definitely a feeling in the dressing room that we can stay there," he said.

"It bodes well for next season. With the confidence we've got now we'll try and finish the season strongly and start where we leave off next season."

Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez were the scorers against Alan Pardew's men.

Watch our chat with Glen now



Kuyt's penalty was his 14th strike of the season - and his eighth goal in his last seven league outings.

Johnson added: "We've been laughing and joking about it because normally he shoots from anywhere. But he's a fantastic player. He's been brilliant for Liverpool over the years and I'm sure he'll continue to be.

"He's a great player to have in a squad. He can play on the left, the right and up front. He does a job for the team and wherever he plays he wears his heart on his sleeve."

The Newcastle clash was Johnson's first appearance since pulling his hamstring against West Brom on April 2.

In his absence 18-year-old John Flanagan has shown maturity beyond his years.

And Johnson said: "It's been brilliant. Obviously John, Jack Robinson and Kells (Martin Kelly) who came in before have all been fantastic and it's great for Liverpool Football Club to have players like that coming through.

"I feel good - it's fantastic to be back and the hamstring feels good now."
 
Alan Hansen believes it is Kenny Dalglish's excellent tactics that are responsible for the revival of the club's season.

In his LFC Weekly column, the former Liverpool defender said results have been great since Dalglish's second coming and expectation levels are now rising again under the King.

Hansen credits his old pal's varying formations - as well as the players for responding greatly to them.

"For me the big thing has been the flexibility of the formations that Kenny has used and how players have adapted," he wrote in LFC Weekly.

"Kenny knows the game and he knows players, but also ingrained in him is the Liverpool way - the pass and move game that our club's success was based upon. Right from the word go, as he has said himself, he wanted to see players passing and moving on the training ground. We're reaping the rewards of that already."

Even though our results have been impressive both home and away these last few months, Hansen says we mustn't get too carried away.

"I know I keep saying it, but as a club and a team there is still a long way to go. However, everyone who has seen Liverpool play over the last few months recognises that we are on the right lines and that is great to see after such a difficult first half of the season."
 
Didnt know where to put this :

Martin Skrtel insists the backing of the fans has been key to our revival under Kenny Dalglish.

Most Recent News 10 games that made our No.23 Skrtel: Fans vital in Euro bid 'Don't expect another 6-0 win' Senegal ace on Braga & Carra Coaching duo earn praise The defender was delighted to help Liverpool keep a third successive home clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend - and he believes having the supporters 100 per cent behind the team has played a huge part in the Reds climbing into fifth place.

"It was such a great match in front of great fans and I would like to thank them again," he said. "I am very happy with the result and it is much easier to perform when you are backed by such a great crowd.

"I believed in victory from the first minute. We are now very close to our goal which is Europe. We have three games to play and I am sure we can reach our goal with this support."

Skrtel is one of only two Barclays Premier League players to have appeared in every minute of every league game this season, along with Leighton Baines of Everton.
 
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=44115.msg1327243#msg1327243 date=1304597439]
I didn't realise Skrtel had played every minute of every game. He must be made out of the same stuff as Kuyt and Lucas.
[/quote]
I seem to remember Skrtel horribly twisting his knee against City. It looked really bad, probably an injury that would keep Agger out for a year.
Skrtel was back after a month.
 
KENNY DALGLISH insists Liverpool can’t afford to look any further than Monday night’s tough trip to Fulham as he refuses to contemplate Europa League qualification.

Back to back wins over Birmingham and Newcastle have seen the Reds leapfrog Tottenham in the race for fifth place.

The stage is set for a crunch clash with Spurs at Anfield next Sunday but Dalglish is wary of the showdown with the Cottagers.

Mark Hughes’ side have climbed to ninth on the back of emphatic victories over Bolton and Sunderland and are unbeaten at home since the turn of the year.

“We never set targets, we just prepare for the next game,†Dalglish said.

“Fulham played very well here earlier in the season. We beat them 1-0 but we were quite fortunate.

“They are on a good run and have had an excellent season so it’s a difficult game for us.

“If they hadn’t had as many draws at the start of the season they would have been a lot higher up the table.

“Mark Hughes is an excellent manager and has fantastic support from his backroom staff.â€



Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2011/05/07/kenny-dalglish-liverpool-fc-must-forget-europe-and-concentrate-on-fulham-100252-28650422/#ixzz1LePpYeezThere is a debate raging over whether Liverpool would be better off staying out of the Europa League amid fears the schedule would damage their league campaign next season.

However, Dalglish won’t be getting involved in it.

“We don’t have that problem yet so we don’t need to solve anything,†he added.

“If there are problems ahead then they will be solved. We will just keep going and see what we can do. The biggest problem we have got is Fulham.â€

Meanwhile, Dalglish says the Reds’ Academy staff and players can hold their heads high – despite suffering title heartache yesterday.

The under-18s needed to beat Wolves to win the Premier Academy League Group C but were held to a 2-2 draw at Kirkby.

However, Dalglish insists the progression of teenagers John Flanagan and Jack Robinson to the first team this season means a lot more than silverware.

“I suppose you could say we can take the blame because we took Flanagan and Robinson away from them so we’ve weakened them and three of them are also away with England Under-17s,†he said.

“For us that is more progress than it would be to have won the youth league and get no players through.â€



Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2011/05/07/kenny-dalglish-liverpool-fc-must-forget-europe-and-concentrate-on-fulham-100252-28650422/2/#ixzz1LeNwAefp
 
Kenny Dalglish has revealed the secret behind Luis Suarez's blistering start to his Anfield career - an eagerness to embrace the Liverpool way.

The Uruguayan has established himself as a firm favourite on the Kop after hitting three goals and contributing countless assists in his 10 appearances since completing a switch from Ajax on January's transfer deadline day.

Dalglish believes Suarez's willingness to immerse himself in the culture and history of Liverpool has been a driving force behind his instant impact in England.

"Suarez has been fantastically enthusiastic, he walks about with a smile on his face in training, he enjoys training and is very good in amongst the dressing room," Dalglish told reporters at Melwood.

"Because of his personality and approach to games, he's got his reward - and the reward for us is a really exciting player who has made a contribution to the run we're on and he has also settled in very quickly and become part of the football club.

"He enjoys playing football, he enjoys being here, his family has settled really quickly and he's moved into a house really quickly. He's got himself really involved in the Liverpool way and got his reward for it."

He added: "It's a help when you get a goal, but he makes them as well and we've been delighted with what he's done so far."

While Suarez's Liverpool career is still in it's infancy, one man at the other end of the spectrum is Jamie Carragher, who will go outright second in the Reds' all-time appearance makers list should he face Fulham on Monday night.

The defender will notch up his 666th game for the club, though he still has some way to go before he equals Ian Callaghan's tally of 857 appearances.

Dalglish is effusive in his praise for Carragher.

He said: "When you see the names that are up there, like Cally who is iconic here not just for the number of games he played but also for the service he gave the club and success he helped bring here, they deserve it.

"Cally was there at the start of the foundations for Liverpool Football Club, he was with Shanks. Carra might have missed out on that, but he's been a part of an awful lot of manager's reigns at Liverpool Football Club and he's served every single one of them superbly well. I'm sure he's got one or two miles of service left in him yet.

"It's a great compliment to him and a great accolade for him to be second in the chart for most appearances for Liverpool. You know what you get from him and there is nothing I can say about Carra as a person that you wouldn't know yourself.

"He's been here a while and hopefully he'll be here a lot longer."

It's not only Carragher's defensive ability that have caught the eye over the years, with the Bootle-born star renowned as being a natural leader on the field.

Such leadership qualities have helped guide teenagers John Flanagan and Jack Robinson through their recent first-team appearances - but Dalglish believes Carragher can also set an example to his more established colleagues.

The boss joked: "He was a good role model until Flanno knocked him out at Arsenal - I think he might have taken that badly!

"But he is fantastically helpful, not just to Flanno but also to Martin Skrtel, who I think he been brilliant since we came in. He's really grown in stature and I'm sure playing alongside Carra has helped him.

"Carra will educate and encourage him. I'm sure Martin will appreciate that and take it forward. He makes a huge contribution."

Carragher's main aim at Craven Cottage will be a third consecutive clean sheet as Liverpool aim to bolster their push for European qualification.

Nonetheless, Dalglish is well aware Mark Hughes's side will pose a stern test - as they demonstrated during a narrow 1-0 defeat at Anfield in Janaury.

He said: "Fulham played very well here earlier on in the season. We beat them 1-0 and were quite fortunate.

"They're on a good run, so it's going to be difficult for us as every game is. They've had an excellent season and if they hadn't had as many draws as they did at the beginning of the season, they'd be a lot higher up in the league.

"We know what we're going to face. We know it's going to be difficult as we saw what they can do here.

"I think Mark is an excellent manager. He's had an excellent managerial career and he's just carried on that. He's got fantastically supportive and loyal backroom staff that he takes with him wherever he goes, and they are a formidable team off the pitch."

A 3-0 win over Newcastle last Sunday, coupled with a Tottenham loss at Chelsea, took Liverpool into fifth place in the Barclays Premier League on goal difference.

However, journalists were keen to know whether Dalglish felt being in the Europa League could serve as a hindrance to the Reds next season.

Such queries were given short shift by the manager.

"We've not got that problem yet, so until it arises we don't need to solve anything," he said. "The biggest problem I've got is Fulham coming up on Monday night.

"I would have thought it (planning) started a good while ago for next season.

"That (the Europa League) is just one of the things that has to be taken into consideration, but you cannot predict what's going to happen, so there is no point in worrying about that."
 
Kenny Dalglish has reiterated his belief that Pepe Reina is the best goalkeeper in the world as the Spaniard prepares to clock up another landmark at Fulham on Monday night.

Most Recent News Carra: Tonight's not about me Kenny's tribute to golf legend How to follow today's game Kuyt: I'm in the form of my life Kenny: Reina's the world's best The stopper will make his 150th consecutive league appearance for the club against the Cottagers - the seventh longest sequence in Liverpool history.

Dalglish believes it is a significant milestone for the No.25, claiming that he is the finest exponent of his position in the business.

Dalglish told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's fantastic for Pepe. It's great for him to make 150 consecutive appearances. He's our goalkeeper and it's important we have that continuity. The quality of his performances have been fantastic. I'm sure it's a milestone that he will think about very fondly.

"He's a huge influence on us. Not only does he stop goals - he creates them as well. It's great for us to have him between the sticks, and for me - if he's not the best - then I would like to see the one that is better than him."

The Reds go in search of a win that would bolster their hopes of clinching a top five spot at Fulham - a game in which Dirk Kuyt will attempt to become the first Liverpool player to score in five successive league matches in the same season since the inauguration of the Barclays Premier League.

The last player to achieve the feat was John Aldridge back in March 1989 and the boss admits he would love to see the Dutch star continue his recent hot streak.

Dalglish added: "It would be fantastic for Dirk. I think Aldo was the last player to do it for us many years ago before the Premier League started.

"If Dirk can emulate that then that would be great. He's in a fantastic run of form. A few have been from penalty kicks but it takes a brave man to step up and take them. He's slotted them away too, so if he goes on to do that, it certainly wouldn't be a problem for us."
 
Kenny Dalglish claims January signing Luis Suarez is playing 'beyond the wildest dreams' of anyone at the club.

Maxi Rodriguez may steal the headlines after a hat-trick in the 5-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage but the performance of our No.7 will have had Kopites purring.

The Uruguay international scored one and assisted another during an all-action 90 minutes.

Afterwards Dalglish told reporters: "He was fantastic. He was running as hard at the end as he was at the beginning. He was causing them all sorts of problems.

"He's really settled in and that's a credit to him and his family. They've settled into the area, settled into the football and I don't think in our wildest dreams we thought he'd settle in so quickly and take to English football like he has done.

"He's graced the pitch every time he's played on it."

Click the image below to watch highlights



The result is Liverpool's best ever in this part of London and it followed undoubtedly the finest away performance from the Reds this season.

"It was a fantastic result for us, a fantastic performance and a win we thoroughly deserved," said Dalglish.

"Mark Hughes has done a great job here with Fulham. They've got a great record here this year and when you come to Craven Cottage you know it's going to be a really difficult game.

"To score five goals was beyond our wildest expectations but we got the five goals because we played some fantastic football, we passed to each other and we worked hard when we never had the ball."

In collecting three points Liverpool leapfrogged Tottenham into fifth. The two sides meet on Sunday.

On whether fourth-placed Manchester City, who need just three points from their last three games, are catchable, Dalglish said: "We'll wait and see. I know it's boring and repetitive but it hasn't served us badly over the years: the next game's the most important one.

"Where it's going to take us, we don't know - because we don't know how many points we're going to get. Who would have predicted coming here and winning 5-2? I certainly wouldn't.

"We've got a really difficult game on Sunday against Spurs and they've had a fantastic season.

"No one would ever have anticipated the run the boys have been on since January, would they? It's been unbelievable, and even if we don't get fifth then we've been absolutely fantastic. For us the position isn't as important as the response from the players."

Monday night's game was Jamie Carragher's 666th for Liverpool, putting him outright second in the club's appearance table.

Dalglish said: "He's an iconic Liverpool player and it's a fitting tribute that he's the second highest ever Liverpool player with regards appearances.

"He's got a few more left in him yet I would have thought but he's a fantastic credit to the football club. He's been here since he was 12, though he wasn't playing in the first team then. He had to wait until he was 17. Since then he's been a fantastic servant to the football club."

Carragher's time at Liverpool has coincided with a period of dominance for Manchester United, who as good as wrapped up a record 19th league title with victory over Chelsea on Sunday.

Asked how he felt at seeing their celebrations, Dalglish responded: "Anyone who wins the title is normally the best team in the league. I don't think Manchester United are any different to that because they've got the most points.

"Although they might be our rivals and competitors it doesn't mean you disrespect them and we'd always have respect for what they've achieved and it's the same with anyone who wins the title. If they do win it then we'll offer our congratulations.

"They have set the standards we've got to get to and we'll try to get there."

Meanwhile, Dalglish does not believe the injury which kept Andy Carroll out of the matchday squad that travelled to London is serious.

"Carroll's just got bruising, so he should be alright," said the boss.
 
Nice video.

But Gerrard is getting way too much exposure, so is Cole.

Our resurgence in 2011 has predominantly been thanks to first and foremost:

1. Dalglish
2. Suarez
3. Meireles
4. Kuyt
5. Lucas
6. Carra
 
Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Liverpool can challenge for major honours next season under Kenny Dalglish.

The England ace was a major player when the Reds last won the crown back in 1990, and with some quality additions to the squad he is confident that a trophy won't be far away.

"The timescale (of challenging for the league) depends on the quality of the players they can get in," said Barnes.

"If they don't bring much more quality in to this squad, then I don't think they can win the title next year, they can only progress.

"But with a little bit more investment, getting two or three quality players into the squad, I think they could challenge next year. But it really does depend on who they get."

"Since Kenny has been there, they have had a fantastic run. And I feel that they can challenge for a Champions League place next year.

"I still don't think the current squad is good enough to win the league, but Kenny has maximised the potential of his squad, he is making them play consistently well, and they will definitely be challenging for honours - or at least for a place back in the Champions League - next season.

"The pressure will be on, especially having had the run that they have had since Kenny has been there. People are naturally expecting them to continue into next season and to be right up there, which I believe they can be.

"However, after the euphoria of Kenny being back, and the last half of the season going so well, we have to be realistic in what we expect for next year. That is why, with Kenny maximising the potential of this squad, the potential is there to challenge for a Champions League place.

"To say that this squad can actually win the league? No. I still think it needs to be strengthened in certain areas."

Click on the play button below to see why Dirk Kuyt was April's star performer



Barnes has also been impressed with youngsters like Jay Spearing and John Flanagan who have shone in the team under Dalglish's tutorship.

"The only way a manager can bring through young players is if he knows he is going to be given time to develop them and, apart from Alex Ferguson and Kenny - because of the reverence that the fans have for them, other managers haven't got that time.

"Had it not worked with Flanagan and Jack Robinson, people still would have supported Kenny and would have trusted he was doing the right thing by bringing the youngsters through.

"Most other managers know that if it doesn't work straight away, then they will be sacked. Because of the demands of instant success, managers feel they have to go out and spend money, which is unfortunate.

"If a manager could be guaranteed a year to bring through young players, then I'm sure most would appreciate that and would use that. But sadly most managers know that if it doesn't work, then in four or five months' time they will be sacked.

"Kenny knows that is not the case, Sir Alex knows that is not the case, so they are the only two managers - maybe Arsene Wenger as well - who can manage in that way."

Barnes also believes Liverpool's Academy can take great pride from Jamie Carragher's latest landmark.

The Reds defender made his 666th appearance in Monday's demolition of Fulham, claiming the second spot as his own in the club's all-time appearances list.

Former midfielder Barnes praised Carragher for his accomplishment and feels it is more poignant that the milestone was achieved by a home-grown player.

"It's a fantastic feat for Jamie, and of course I was there when Jamie first got into the side. He worked at his game," said Barnes.

"He's a development of the Liverpool Academy which is a testament to the Academy because we always say they will produce the best players.

"They produce players like Jamie Carragher because he works hard at his game. He's a fantastic professional."
 
There's a mistake just after the beginning. Kenny didn't "undergo an unsuccessful trial" with us. He left because he was homesick.

Great stuff otherwise. I'd forgotten that we clinched the title in a game against the bitters in our first double year. 😀
 
Vinny O'Connor: "Kenny what can you achieve in the next three years?"

Kenny: "Vinny - you're getting boring and repetitive now. You know what you're going to be told. The next game is the most important thing."

;D
 
[quote author=peekay link=topic=44115.msg1331925#msg1331925 date=1305209730]
Vinny O'Connor: "Kenny what can you achieve in the next three years?"

Kenny: "Vinny - you're getting boring and repetitive now. You know what you're going to be told. The next game is the most important thing."

;D
[/quote]

Hahahahaha.
 
Damien Comolli today spelt out the reasons why Kenny Dalglish is the right man to take Liverpool back to the top of the English game.

Dalglish was today confirmed as the Club's new boss on a three-year contract, with assistant Steve Clarke also putting pen to paper on a permanent deal.

Despite insisting the Reds would undertake a thorough search for their new manager after initially appointing Dalglish on a temporary deal back in January, Comolli admits results on the field ultimately rendered an extensive recruitment process pointless.

And now he is confident the Reds have the right man in charge to bring the glory days back to Anfield.

"We said at the start of the process we wanted somebody who was competent, had good man-management skills and who understood the philosophy of the Club," he said. "Kenny fits perfectly with what we've been looking for. There is nobody better to say what the club's playing philosophy is because that's what he represents.

"This is the right thing for the club and is very positive news. I have been talking with players about stability, about keeping them long-term, and I think that's even more important with the manager. I think the last thing anyone wanted was another change, so this is a strong sign of stability and that the club is settled in all areas.

"We didn't really look elsewhere because Kenny turned things around very quickly, with the help of Steve Clarke. For us, it was a no brainer."

The Reds have enjoyed a rapid rise up the league table since Dalglish's return back in January, with only Chelsea sitting above them in the form table over the second half of the campaign.

"He hit the ground running and turned things around very quickly," added Comolli. "He came in from day one knowing what he wanted to do because he knew the boys anyway, especially the key players like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, and knew the young players in the Academy.

"The impact has been great. Arsene Wenger was at Arsenal before I arrived there and so I could only see it from the outside but I think the two share some qualities.

"The first thing is the quality of the football. Kenny insists on quality of passing and movement on the pitch.

"Secondly, when you are talking about individual players they both like intelligent players who can see things. When Kenny talks about players, he talks about whether they can see a pass in the final third. What about their vision? That's something Arsene talks about.

"They both have a massive ability to give confidence to the team and to the players. They bring self belief into the young players by saying 'you are good so that is why you are playing'. That gives fantastic confidence to young players. The other thing they say is 'don't do anything different to what you have been doing. It doesn't matter that you're at Anfield or the Emirates, just play your normal game. If I pick you it's because you are good enough'. That's a fantastic approach Kenny has got with young players.

"His man-management of the squad has been tremendous. He has this ability to give self belief to the players, he has the ability to breed confidence in the senior players and to relax the young players and make them feel comfortable when they are playing the biggest game of their lives. When they make their first team debut, whether it's at Anfield for John Flanagan or at the Emirates for Jack Robinson, he can relax them and that's been the most impressive thing for me."

Click on the play button below to watch our exclusive chat with Comolli



As well as looking on with pride as several of the club's youngsters have made the step-up from youth team football to first-team action this season, Comolli also credits Dalglish with bringing the best out of the more established senior players.

"It's all down to confidence," he says. "Within that you can mention a lot of things: man-management, tactics, style of play and training. Look at Maxi - he was not playing much in recent weeks, but has now scored two hat-tricks. The good thing is he is coming to a team which has confidence, belief and is playing good football. What Steve and Kenny have been doing has bred confidence.

"The good thing is in the football club everything is a consequence of what happens on the pitch. There is a good atmosphere around the place because we do very well on the pitch. Why do we do very well on the pitch? Because of the reasons we mentioned, Kenny coming in, making a fantastic impact and lifting people and getting fantastic results.

"It's due to the work that Kenny and Steve have done that the atmosphere at Melwood and the club in general is so good. If you go to the Academy everyone is in a very positive mood because Jack Robinson has played for the first team, because Jay Spearing is a regular in the team and because John Flanagan has been a regular in the team.

"This is a great lift for everybody at the Academy. We have given new contracts to several players there as well and when they sign you tell them they can have a chance of playing for the first team. At other clubs people say that but it is not happening, but here the kids can say 'I know' because they see it happening. Kelly and Spearing have played, we've mentioned Flanagan and Robinson and Conor Coady, Raheem Sterling and Andre Wisdom have also been involved recently, which is very positive.

"Knowing Kenny, even if he had not known those kids well he would have played them or involved them because he trusts the youth set-up and isn't scared to make big decisions. It doesn't matter what your name is or what your age is. If he thinks you are good he will play you."

As well as enjoying much-improved results over recent months, the style of football and attacking intent to win games has also pleased Reds' fans, all of whom will be thrilled with Kenny's permanent appointment.

But Comolli is keen to stress this isn't a decision merely to appease the fans' clamour for the return of King Kenny.

"It is definitely the right decision and is based on what's happening on the pitch and not taking anything else into consideration," he says.

"The game on Monday was just the perfect example of what we want. It was a perfect evening of great football, great movement, great attacking and five goals.

"This is the tradition of the club. When you're talking about the playing and coaching philosophy, this is what we want. If you see us from U13 through to the first team, it's the same idea and same way of thinking.

"Sometimes games are so tight at the top level that the manager has to make the right decision, the right substitution or the right tactical decision which is going to win the game. Players know each other so well that the intensity of the game and the concentration is so high that sometimes the change you make can make the difference. Kenny has shown several times since he came back that he is able to do that."

So with the manager's position now secure and Liverpool looking forward to a future under the leadership of their legendary number seven, how confident is Comolli that it will be a future full of success?

"When I congratulated him on the contract this was a discussion I had with him," he added. "I said hopefully we can bring success back to the club and he said we will definitely try. You can never guarantee success, but we will work as hard as we can.

"We have a lot of quality in the team. Since January we are second in the league behind Chelsea which shows that if we'd had a season like this we'd have been in the top two, three, four or whatever. We know we have quality but we also know we have weaknesses and we'll address that in the summer.

"The more quality football we play and the more feedback we get from people in football, I sense we are very attractive to top players, whether it's at Academy level where a lot of talented young boys want to join us or at first team level where a lot of senior players want to join us. It shows the excitement is not just within the club and that it is spread around. We are attractive as a club and that's very positive for the future."
 
Damien Comolli today spoke of his satisfaction at how the big decisions Liverpool Football Club made in January have paid dividends.

The Reds replaced Roy Hodgson with Kenny Dalglish on the first weekend of 2011 and the Scot, aided by a new addition to the backroom staff in Steve Clarke, has helped mastermind a turnaround in the team's fortunes, taking them from 12th place in the Barclays Premier League table to the brink of European qualification.

Such form meant the Club's owners Fenway Sports Group handed Dalglish and Clarke permanent three-year contracts today.

Meanwhile, on a hectic January transfer deadline day, Fernando Torres was sold to Chelsea while strike pair Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll were drafted in as Liverpool broke their transfer record twice on the same day.

Comolli insists the work done by the Reds in January has paid off, and he was keen to praise the strength of the working relationship that exists between himself, Dalglish, Clarke, Managing Director Ian Ayre, Principal Owner John Henry, and Chairman Tom Werner.

"Since Kenny came in, I think we have shown to ourselves and everybody else in the outside world that the four of us and the two owners work very well together when it is crunch decision time," the Reds Director of Football told reporters at Melwood.

"That's what we did in January and I think we enjoyed that moment. All of the decisions we made in January have started to pay off - and hopefully they're going to pay off for a long time.

"It (my role) hasn't changed much. It's a working relationship on a daily basis with Kenny talking about everything, a lot of players, the future and the present, so not much has changed.

"It's been a great ride because gradually the results have improved massively and also, again, because what we did in January has paid off."

Click on the play button below to watch our exclusive chat with Comolli



News of Dalglish's permanent appointment was confirmed on Thursday afternoon after the 60-year-old was originally drafted in on a temporary basis until the end of the season.

However, having engineered Liverpool's resurgence up the table, Comolli believes the decision to hand the Scot a three-year deal was simply a 'no brainer'.

He said: "We didn't look around. As John (Henry) said in his statement, very early on we knew Kenny was the right person and that along with Steve (Clarke) we had the right coaching staff behind Kenny to make sure he had the support and the players had the right coaching.

"If you remember what I said in January, we were talking about man management, playing style and attacking football - and that's exactly what we've seen.

"I don't think there is anybody better than Kenny to explain what the identity of the club is about.

"We've seen exactly what we thought we would see and that's why we absolutely looked nowhere else and spoke to nobody (else).

"I was actually quite surprised there was so little speculation and nobody linked with the job around Europe, the world and in the press.

"I asked myself the question, and the reason is because it was a no brainer for everybody."

It's not only senior personnel who have thrived under Dalglish's tutelage, with the likes of Academy graduates Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson making big impressions on the first team.

Comolli continued: "It's always easier to work when you have very positive results and after a performance like Monday's (against Fulham), it is a lot easier to do anything that is related to the football club.

"Obviously I, like everybody else, have been very impressed with the way they - and I include Steve in that - have turned it around, the quality of the football, the enthusiasm and confidence of the players, and the way Kenny has managed to integrate very young players into the first team.

"If you take the 20 youngest players who have played in the Premier League this season, we've got three - Jonjo (Shelvey), Jack Robinson and Flanno (John Flanagan) - and that's all credit to Kenny."

With Dalglish's position as permanent Liverpool manager now confirmed, reporters were eager to know whether Comolli had already begun work on how the Club plan to strengthen the squad this summer.

However, the Frenchman was eager to point out how impressed everybody connected with the Reds has been with the performance levels of the current crop of players since January and insisted that, with two games still to play, everybody at Anfield was focused on trying to end the season with a maximum six-point haul.

"It's the game - players going out and players coming in," he said. "We have to respect what the current players have done this season.

"They've done tremendously since January. If you take the point average for games since January, we are second in the league and that's a fantastic turnaround.

"We have two massive games we need to play and we need to focus on those two games rather than talk about who is going to come in and who is going to go out - that is for later.

"We know what we are doing, but we will absolutely concentrate on this season."

Meanwhile, journalists quizzed Comolli on the changes he's witnessed at Liverpool since he originally arrived at Anfield in November 2010.

He replied: "The atmosphere is very different because we are winning games.

"When you win a lot of games and you play great football changes the atmosphere of the place, so that's probably the first thing.

"Then throughout the Club there is a lot of confidence, self belief and enthusiasm from the players and also the staff.

"Coming back to the young players, it is an absolute fantastic motivation for everybody involved at the Academy to see that now we have three, four or five first-team players who have been welcomed from the Academy.

"That is a very strong statement and just that unified the club massively."
 
Kenny Dalglish believes all the right ingredients are in place to ensure Liverpool Football Club's long-term future is a bright one.

The Scot, along with first-team coach Steve Clarke, put pen to paper on a permanent three-year contract having excelled as interim manager since replacing Roy Hodgson in January.

Dalglish insists there is a real sense of unity at Liverpool now under new owners Fenway Sports Group, and he feels such harmony can provide the basis for a successful future.

He told reporters at Melwood: "We don't need anything else we don't already have. We've got fantastic support and that is a great help.

"The support is coming from everywhere. Everybody is pulling in the same direction and everybody wants the same thing. We'll do what we can to get there.

"But we're not going to sit and shout our mouths off about what we're going to do.

"The boys have been fantastic, especially recently, and we're not going to shout our mouths off about that either. We'll just go about our job, go about the preparation for the Tottenham game, which is the most important thing for us.

"We've got our reward for what we've done - and we've got to gain the reward for the next one."

After Fenway Sports Group acquired the Club last October, Ian Ayre was named as Liverpool's Managing Director in March, while Damien Comolli was promoted to the role of Director of Football.

Dalglish added: "Myself and Steve are delighted with the response from the Club. We're going to be working with fantastic new owners.

"Damien (Comolli) has been fantastically supportive to us, especially in the January transfer window - going out and finding players as late as he did was unbelievable.

"When Ian (Ayre) and Damien were announced (in new roles), I thought that was a fantastic step forward for the football club and I don't see any reason to change that.

"The place is much more stable now than it was before. The supporters have got wee smiles on their faces and it is up to us to keep that smile there for as long we can."

Since being appointed in January, Dalglish has steered Liverpool from 12th place in the Barclays Premier League to fifth in the table.

The boss, however, is eager to highlight the role played by coach Clarke, who was drafted into the backroom team shortly after the King's return to the throne.

Dalglish said: "We're delighted it has gone as well as it has done. I say 'we' because Steve is as important as I to the Club.

"We came in as a partnership - he came in the day after me - so we've both been here from the outset in January and he's made a great contribution.

"For two of us to come in and for it to go so well has really been enjoyable.

"I might have had to sit here and answer, and sometimes even dodge, the questions (about a permanent deal), but we knew what was going on and never had a problem with what was going on.

"We've been happy with everything since we came in - the way the players have gone about their work, their attitude and commitment to training and taking it forward onto the pitch, and their desire to be successful.

"So everything was pointing in the right direction."

He added: "The owners have been superbly supportive.

"Damien (Comolli) has been fantastic getting us up to speed with any players that might be coming about, so everything was in place.

"There might have been some people saying three or four weeks ago, 'Why hasn't it happened?' but we knew we were still going about our jobs anyway and do them as well as we possibly could.

"There has been nothing wrong with any of the timing, no problems with any of the discussions, it's just the way it was done. It suited everybody to get it done and dusted - but only if it was right for everybody and when it was right.

"There was no need for anybody to dive in and make rash decisions, the Club or ourselves."

Such has been the turnaround under Dalglish, victory over Tottenham on Sunday will confirm qualification for the Europa League.

It was a feat many believed unthinkable at the turn of the year.

"I don't think anybody would have anticipated that in January when we started, but I think we've also got to be realistic and not get carried away," admitted Dalglish.

"We've got a really difficult game on Sunday and Tottenham have been unlucky because it's being so successful this year that's maybe cost them.

"We know what we're up against, they've got the same target as us to get a victory. Certainly if we get a victory we'll be delighted, but irrespective of the result on Sunday or against Villa in the following game I don't think what the players have done should be undermined in any way, shape or form.

"They've been fantastic in the way they've gone about it and to get us this close is a great credit to them."

Meanwhile, with his long-term future now secure, journalists were eager to question Dalglish on how much transfer activity there is likely to be at Anfield this summer and whether a repeat of January's big-money transfers can be expected.

He replied: "Whether it (spending) is massively or whether it's cheaply doesn't make any difference as long as you spend well. As long as the players are playing well, you've got a chance.

"Budgets are all very well and good, but they don't guarantee you anything.

"For ourselves, like every other football club, there will be movement in and out and I am sure there will be plenty of speculation.

"There will be movement in and out, it's part and parcel of pre-season and football clubs, and we'll be doing business. But the better we do the business, the more successful we'll be."
 
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iPhone App LFC Podcasts LFC Toolbar Browser Add-On RSS Feeds Steven Gerrard today spoke of his delight after Kenny Dalglish was confirmed as Liverpool's new full-time manager.

Dalglish has put pen to paper on a three-year deal, while first team coach Steve Clarke has also signed a permanent contract.

Speaking in Dublin where he has travelled with Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez to take part in an adidas event, Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It is fantastic news and the news everyone connected with the club has been waiting for.

"Kenny has lifted the place, the supporters, the players and everyone connected with the club and now we can all look forward to a bright future.

"I think the timing of it is perfect before the last home game and I'm really looking forward to Sunday now to see the reaction.

"Before he came in everyone knew it was a difficult time as results were not going well, but sometimes all you need is a change. The last six months has been a lot more positive.

"He is very popular with the players and I think he is a popular guy in general. Everyone knows about his knowledge, his experience and what he has done in the game.

"With Kenny signing and a few more signings, I am sure expectations will go through the roof but we just need to continue what we have been doing over the last six months."
 
Ian Ayre has hailed Kenny Dalglish's appointment as Liverpool's permanent manager as a 'landmark day' and praised the Scot for restoring the belief within every corner of the club.

The Managing Director spoke glowingly about the boss during a packed Melwood press conference in which he reiterated his view that everything is now falling into place for the Reds to move towards a bright future.

Ayre told reporters: "It's a landmark day. I think the big day was back in January but making it permanent just cements what we have all been waiting for. I'm most pleased for the fans because having the support we have, giving them belief back and giving them Kenny is a great thing for everyone connected with the club."

He added: "When we made the appointment at the time, Kenny said himself that he was happy to come and help out until the end of the season.

"That helped everyone to settle things down and that's exactly what happened. I think we've seen a turnaround in fortunes on the pitch but we've also seen something else that came back as well as Kenny - and that is belief.

"Our fans and everybody around the club started to believe again and once you see that belief, then as Damien (Comolli) said, it was a no-brainer.

"Then it was just a process and as we said at the time, we would always keep it professional and private - and that was what we did.

"We had several meetings, pulled the agreements with Kenny and Steve (Clarke) together and here we are today.

"So it was never a case of consideration, more that it was evolutionary over the period and we are very happy with the result."

Ayre was also quizzed about the club's strategy for the future and the impact Fenway Sports Group have had since taking control of the Reds in October last year.

He said: "I think John (Henry) put it best on the day that they bought the club. He said we want to win. Winning means a lot of things but you only win if you have unity, if you are a team and if you support each other.

"One of the great things for all of us sat at this table is that we have the complete support of the guys who own this football club and we have the absolute support and commitment of our fans.

"All of those things will hopefully put us on the path to winning again."

He added: "It's amazing how engaged they are with football and Liverpool in such a short period of time. John (Henry) said to me the other week that he can't stop watching football matches, whether it's Liverpool or anyone else.

"Again, if you are going to buy a football club what a great one to buy. Look at the atmosphere and the great set of fans. An example was Harry Redknapp talking after Tottenham's game at Manchester City the other day.

"He spoke about Sunday's game and said it (Anfield) is a great place to play football, with some of the best fans in the world, with one of the best atmosphere's in the world. If you've bought into this club like the owners have, they feel that. When it's your team and you are winning I'm sure that gives them a great feeling and you see that when they are here.

"We came through a very difficult period but when you start to close the doors and deal with the business in-house, you get a lot more sorted out than if it's in the media or other areas. Equally when you break down political angles and egos that have existed here in the past at certain times and at other football clubs and other businesses; the one thing I could see that is testament to everyone here is that there aren't any egos here. It's all about Liverpool Football Club and that's the way it should be."

Asked for an update on whether the club would build a new stadium or redevelop Anfield, Ayre added: "It's the same as we have always said on that subject. We need to take the time to understand what the real opportunities are for both of those.

"One of the things that people have been really critical of the club about over the past few years was making rash statements and then not living up to them.

"We've seen from day one with Tom (Werner) and John that they do things in a measured way and they expect us to do the same. Just like questions being asked about today's announcement for the last few months, the same questions are being asked about the stadium. As and when we know the answers, we will tell everybody. We are very committed to finding the right answer.

"The dictation on the stadium will be about finding the right financial model. We are very fortunate that Champions League or no Champions League, we fill our stadium. That's what will dictate our ability to build a new stadium or refurbish Anfield.

"It's not dependent upon that (Champions League). We'd all like to see it but that's not part of the decision making on the stadium."
 
"We came through a very difficult period but when you start to close the doors and deal with the business in-house, you get a lot more sorted out than if it's in the media or other areas. Equally when you break down political angles and egos that have existed here in the past at certain times and at other football clubs and other businesses; the one thing I could see that is testament to everyone here is that there aren't any egos here. It's all about Liverpool Football Club and that's the way it should be."

Sweet. Long may that continue.
 
Luis Suarez has hailed the appointment of Kenny Dalglish as full-time manager - claiming the Scot has been key to his seamless transition into English football.

We caught up with the January signing an hour after news of Dalglish's three-year deal was broken - and he was clearly thrilled.

"It is great news because everyone is very happy with him," said Suarez, who has four goals in 11 games since arriving on Merseyside. "He has worked very hard with us and our relationship with him is great.

"It has been great over the last couple of months. Kenny has given me all my confidence. He trusts me.

"I think all the team feels like this, they all have this confidence because Kenny is the kind of manager that does that.

"We like him very much and hopefully we can keep doing what we're doing."

Jamie Carragher believes the permanent appointment of Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool manager means everything is now in place for the Reds to re-establish themselves as force to be reckoned with.

The Scot joined first-team coach Steve Clarke in penning a three year deal to remain at the helm on Thursday afternoon and the vice captain has joined the growing band of observers to give them both the thumbs-up.

"It's great news for Kenny, for Steve and for the club in general," he said.

"Kenny has done a great job along with Steve and also with the help of Sammy Lee.

"It's all been really positive and it's nice it's all been sorted.

"Kenny is a legend here and he has given everyone a boost since he has been back in charge. With the new owners coming in as well everyone is optimistic about the future.

"We are in decent form, everyone is enjoying being part of it and we want to keep this run going."
 
Kevin Keegan is confident the confirmation of Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool's long-term boss will see the club return to the principles that served it so well during the halcyon days of the 70s and 80s.

The Reds legend reckons the successor to his famous No.7 shirt is the ideal man to get the club back on track and feels he has all the attributes to follow in the footsteps of the most iconic figure in our history.

"With Kenny, Liverpool now has a chance to get back to what it was," said Keegan.

"It is a unique club, and you need people who know the club.

"For Roy Hodgson (Dalglish's predecessor at Anfield) it was difficult; he thought he knew the club, but I'm talking about the city, the fans, the people. And Kenny knows that. He has managed, he has played, he has been through some really good times and some really bad times as well.

"Now, though, he has the chance to lay the foundations, like Shanks did for Bob Paisley. Bob, by his own admission, didn't need to do all that much after Bill left, except let the ship sail on.

"He made some good signings yes, but he had the same backroom staff with Ronnie Moran and Joe Fagan, the same chief scout in Geoff Twentyman. So the nucleus of the club was still there, and I think you see a bit of that now with Kenny and (assistant manager) Sammy Lee. The club has continuity, which is important."

Meanwhile, Keegan has joined the growing list of admirers to heap praise upon the latest No.7 to emerge as a Kop hero.

Luis Suarez has made a stunning start to life at Anfield and is already earning rave reviews for his performances from both fans and players alike.

Keegan admits he has been amazed at how well the Uruguayan has adapted to English football - but refuses to accept there are similarities with his own Reds career.

"Suarez has done better so far than I thought he would, and quicker than I thought," added Keegan.

"He has been very good, and settled very quickly.

"The comparison with myself comes up a lot, but I think he's a different player to me. I can't see him getting a lot of headed goals, as I did, for example, but I can see him scoring more spectacular goals than I did.

"He uses space differently to me. I would see the touchline as my enemy, he sees it as his friend. So he's very different to me.

"Sure you can compare myself and Toshy to Suarez and Carroll, because one is a good header of the ball and the other is a bit nippy, but there is a bit of a difference.

"I think Liverpool paid £110,000 for Toshy (from Cardiff City) and they paid £35,000 for me, so it is a bit different. And I didn't come from Ajax, or from another big Barclays Premier League club. I came from Scunthorpe. I hadn't been near an England set-up when I arrived at Liverpool in 1971, and I wouldn't do so for another year afterwards.

"Suarez has played in the World Cup and the Champions League, so he is coming in as an established player. When I arrived, nobody knew me. I couldn't even get into the game for my first match at Anfield, the security guard didn't believe me when I said I was playing!"

Liverpool fans aren't alone in relishing the thought of Suarez and Carroll in tandem on a regular basis next season.

Keegan knows all about the Reds' record signing from his time at Newcastle and has high hopes that he will prove to be a big hit on Merseyside.

"I did a lot of work with Andy at Newcastle," he said. "He is certainly the best header of a ball I've ever seen, and I don't say that lightly. But he is more than that.

"He is left-footed, which helps him I think. Defenders are used to right-footed centre-forwards, there are not many out and out centre-forwards who are left-footed, so it gives him an advantage I think.

"He has got a lot of courage and determination. He is still young, so he doesn't have that many cuts and bruises.

"Next year will be a big, big test for Andy. He is now at a big club with massive expectation, and he hasn't had that before, even at Newcastle. He is still young, he is still very inexperienced, so next year will be a very big test.

"He is nowhere near the finished article yet, and he'd be the first to admit that, but he has got the attributes to be, that's for sure."
 
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