ESPNsoccernet staff
Steven Gerrard says he is determined to ensure Liverpool's form improves dramatically so Kenny Dalglish is handed the manager's job on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
Dalglish, appointed as a short-term replacement for Roy Hodgson, has started his second reign in charge of Liverpool with an FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, a league loss at Blackpool and a draw in the Merseyside derby against Everton at the weekend.
Though Dalglish has only been appointed at Anfield until the end of the season, Gerrard wants to see the Liverpool board appoint the manager on a long-term contract. For them to do so, the Liverpool captain knows the team must produce consistently improved performances.
"I want to do everything in my power to ensure that he stays here for a long time, beyond the initial six months," Gerrard told LFC Weekly. "I'd love nothing better when the end of the season comes than for us to be on the back of a good run of results that ensures he gets the job full-time. That's my short-term plan, to give everything I've got and all my energy to try to make that happen.
"I won't lie. When Kenny rang to say he was coming back it was a big lift. I love Kenny as a person and I've certainly enjoyed the first few days we've had working with him. I can see a positive future for Kenny at the club.
"I think he's the perfect person to get everyone moving in the right direction again. He's the talisman at this club. His nickname, the King, says it all really. He's the perfect manager and also the person to bring it all together. It's time to re-group and for us all to be pulling in the right direction because this season certainly hasn't been good enough."
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has also given his approval to Dalglish, who initially quit as Liverpool manager in 1991 due to stress. The Scot won three league titles and two FA Cups in his first spell as Reds manager.
"Six months ago I was playing in a World Cup final and last week I was beaten by Blackpool," Kuyt said. "That is something that shouldn't happen because I think we are better than that.
"It means a lot to all of us that Kenny has come to the club. He is a legend for all of us, players and supporters. It was really positive and I thought the way the supporters supported us was unbelievable. I think Dalglish is probably one of the most important former players and managers for Liverpool. You only have to listen to the crowd how important he is, and that is the same for the players.
"I don't want to be disrespectful to Hodgson because he gave everything he could. He just wanted to play a certain way. If you put every manager next to each other, every one has his own training sessions, his own tactics, his own way of playing. He gave everything for the club to do his best and it is just a shame it didn't work out."
Steven Gerrard says he is determined to ensure Liverpool's form improves dramatically so Kenny Dalglish is handed the manager's job on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
Dalglish, appointed as a short-term replacement for Roy Hodgson, has started his second reign in charge of Liverpool with an FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, a league loss at Blackpool and a draw in the Merseyside derby against Everton at the weekend.
Though Dalglish has only been appointed at Anfield until the end of the season, Gerrard wants to see the Liverpool board appoint the manager on a long-term contract. For them to do so, the Liverpool captain knows the team must produce consistently improved performances.
"I want to do everything in my power to ensure that he stays here for a long time, beyond the initial six months," Gerrard told LFC Weekly. "I'd love nothing better when the end of the season comes than for us to be on the back of a good run of results that ensures he gets the job full-time. That's my short-term plan, to give everything I've got and all my energy to try to make that happen.
"I won't lie. When Kenny rang to say he was coming back it was a big lift. I love Kenny as a person and I've certainly enjoyed the first few days we've had working with him. I can see a positive future for Kenny at the club.
"I think he's the perfect person to get everyone moving in the right direction again. He's the talisman at this club. His nickname, the King, says it all really. He's the perfect manager and also the person to bring it all together. It's time to re-group and for us all to be pulling in the right direction because this season certainly hasn't been good enough."
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has also given his approval to Dalglish, who initially quit as Liverpool manager in 1991 due to stress. The Scot won three league titles and two FA Cups in his first spell as Reds manager.
"Six months ago I was playing in a World Cup final and last week I was beaten by Blackpool," Kuyt said. "That is something that shouldn't happen because I think we are better than that.
"It means a lot to all of us that Kenny has come to the club. He is a legend for all of us, players and supporters. It was really positive and I thought the way the supporters supported us was unbelievable. I think Dalglish is probably one of the most important former players and managers for Liverpool. You only have to listen to the crowd how important he is, and that is the same for the players.
"I don't want to be disrespectful to Hodgson because he gave everything he could. He just wanted to play a certain way. If you put every manager next to each other, every one has his own training sessions, his own tactics, his own way of playing. He gave everything for the club to do his best and it is just a shame it didn't work out."
