It's Important We Bring Through The Next Crop Of Kop Kids, Says Liverpool Legend Kenny Dalglish
AN under-10s team has just arrived at Liverpool's training academy on the outskirts of the city.
These lucky lads are being given the chance to prove they have the talent to play in front of the Kop one day.
Yet the parents appear far more excited than the kids. And the reason? Kenny Dalglish is working in the building.
King Kenny is their idol - the man recently voted Greatest Ever Liverpool Player by the fans.
In 14 glorious years at Anfield as player and boss Dalglish won eight titles, six domestic cups and four European trophies.
He has been away since resigning as manager in 1991 - but now he's back.
Thanks to a clever move instigated by current boss Rafa Benitez, Dalglish is a Club Ambassador and Honorary Vice-President.
The Scotland legend is proud to hold those titles but insists helping to produce the next Steven Gerrard or Michael Owen would give him much more pleasure.
Sitting in his office Dalglish told MailSport: "Liverpool has always had a place in my heart and it's humbling to be back. I'm thrilled Rafa has put trust in me.
"The academy has been reorganised and reinvented. The whole ethos has been rewritten.
"And that's all down to Rafa. The academy is dear to his heart and when the new regime started last month he was here on day one to welcome us all.
"We now have to supply the ammunition he can work with at the top level."
Benitez will never enjoy the adulation and respect Dalglish gets from the Anfield legions.
In fact, a fair percentage would prefer to see the Spaniard removed after five years at the helm.
Benitez won the Champions League in 2005 and reached the final two years later but some fans think he has put European ambitions ahead of the league.
Liverpool last won the title in 1990, with Dalglish at the helm, and have made a poor start to the new campaign.
But King Kenny is backing Benitez to the hilt.
He said: "Anyone who knows Rafa knows the love he has for this club. He has a desire to get it right from top to bottom and I will do what I can to help him.
"The infrastructure of the club may have changed since I was here but the principles stay the same.
"We all want this club to be as successful as possible and give the fans the success they crave.
"The supporters will never be taken for granted. Their backing is appreciated and we have fans all over the world. I went with the first team to Singapore and Bangkok during the summer and the support we have there is incredible."
Dalglish started his new job last month and it may take a number of years before the fruits of his labour are seen.
But there will be an immediate impact in terms of beating the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Everton to the signature of bright prospects.
Naturally, many parents will choose Liverpool over other clubs because of Dalglish's involvement.
The Reds accept kids into their academy from the age of six and the cut-off point is 18.
Dalglish said: "Trying to improve youngsters is a vocation for coaches.
"The reward is seeing them progress and hopefully reach the first team. Every kid can't make it but dozens leave here and go professional at good clubs.
"We hope to give them a secure grounding and an excellent chance of making it as footballers.
"But just as importantly we want them to become better people for the experience.
"We want the parents to believe in what we're trying to do.
"Previous reputations as a player or manager shouldn't come into it.
"If I was a parent I would only be impressed with what was going on now. Then I would form an opinion on whether Liverpool were right or wrong for my son.
"We won't do everything correctly - that's just a fact of life and it goes for every club. But all we ask is that we are given a chance. We want people to consider what we are offering.
"We believe it's not all about results - it's about the development as a player and as a person.
"And we want kids and parents to be grateful for what we're trying to do. It's great to see the academy evolving and it will be exciting to see it come to fruition.
"We'd love to see as many kids as possible get close to the first team. If I can help them do that I will be absolutely delighted."
Dalglish's return has lifted the club at this level. And from the security guards to the office staff they reckon it's long overdue.
Liverpool will now be hoping the King's presence also rubs off on the first team to help seal that long overdue championship success.
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-n...verpool-legend-kenny-dalglish-78057-21635494/
AN under-10s team has just arrived at Liverpool's training academy on the outskirts of the city.
These lucky lads are being given the chance to prove they have the talent to play in front of the Kop one day.
Yet the parents appear far more excited than the kids. And the reason? Kenny Dalglish is working in the building.
King Kenny is their idol - the man recently voted Greatest Ever Liverpool Player by the fans.
In 14 glorious years at Anfield as player and boss Dalglish won eight titles, six domestic cups and four European trophies.
He has been away since resigning as manager in 1991 - but now he's back.
Thanks to a clever move instigated by current boss Rafa Benitez, Dalglish is a Club Ambassador and Honorary Vice-President.
The Scotland legend is proud to hold those titles but insists helping to produce the next Steven Gerrard or Michael Owen would give him much more pleasure.
Sitting in his office Dalglish told MailSport: "Liverpool has always had a place in my heart and it's humbling to be back. I'm thrilled Rafa has put trust in me.
"The academy has been reorganised and reinvented. The whole ethos has been rewritten.
"And that's all down to Rafa. The academy is dear to his heart and when the new regime started last month he was here on day one to welcome us all.
"We now have to supply the ammunition he can work with at the top level."
Benitez will never enjoy the adulation and respect Dalglish gets from the Anfield legions.
In fact, a fair percentage would prefer to see the Spaniard removed after five years at the helm.
Benitez won the Champions League in 2005 and reached the final two years later but some fans think he has put European ambitions ahead of the league.
Liverpool last won the title in 1990, with Dalglish at the helm, and have made a poor start to the new campaign.
But King Kenny is backing Benitez to the hilt.
He said: "Anyone who knows Rafa knows the love he has for this club. He has a desire to get it right from top to bottom and I will do what I can to help him.
"The infrastructure of the club may have changed since I was here but the principles stay the same.
"We all want this club to be as successful as possible and give the fans the success they crave.
"The supporters will never be taken for granted. Their backing is appreciated and we have fans all over the world. I went with the first team to Singapore and Bangkok during the summer and the support we have there is incredible."
Dalglish started his new job last month and it may take a number of years before the fruits of his labour are seen.
But there will be an immediate impact in terms of beating the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Everton to the signature of bright prospects.
Naturally, many parents will choose Liverpool over other clubs because of Dalglish's involvement.
The Reds accept kids into their academy from the age of six and the cut-off point is 18.
Dalglish said: "Trying to improve youngsters is a vocation for coaches.
"The reward is seeing them progress and hopefully reach the first team. Every kid can't make it but dozens leave here and go professional at good clubs.
"We hope to give them a secure grounding and an excellent chance of making it as footballers.
"But just as importantly we want them to become better people for the experience.
"We want the parents to believe in what we're trying to do.
"Previous reputations as a player or manager shouldn't come into it.
"If I was a parent I would only be impressed with what was going on now. Then I would form an opinion on whether Liverpool were right or wrong for my son.
"We won't do everything correctly - that's just a fact of life and it goes for every club. But all we ask is that we are given a chance. We want people to consider what we are offering.
"We believe it's not all about results - it's about the development as a player and as a person.
"And we want kids and parents to be grateful for what we're trying to do. It's great to see the academy evolving and it will be exciting to see it come to fruition.
"We'd love to see as many kids as possible get close to the first team. If I can help them do that I will be absolutely delighted."
Dalglish's return has lifted the club at this level. And from the security guards to the office staff they reckon it's long overdue.
Liverpool will now be hoping the King's presence also rubs off on the first team to help seal that long overdue championship success.
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-n...verpool-legend-kenny-dalglish-78057-21635494/
