Where does Kenny fit into Liverpool’s new way of thinking?

One of the obvious questions that will be raised about the appointment of Damien Comolli effectively as Liverpool’s Head of Player Recruitment, is where Liverpool Legend Kenny Dalglish will now fit into proceedings. Roy Hodgson has stated on a number of occasions this season how he is utilising the skills of King Kenny asking him for advice on team matters as well as using the Scot to run the rule on potential signings. Kenny’s official role at Anfield is of Academy Ambassador but it was stated before the appointment of Roy Hodgson that the Reds board wanted Dalglish to have an overarching role over the whole club which would keep him permanently in a position as club advisor. It was one of the reasons cited by the board for rejecting Kenny’s offer to takeover as manager from Rafa Benitez in the summer.

Certainly the arrival of Comolli will complicate the hierarchical structure at the club for the Frenchman will have a big say in the future direction of the Reds. On the face of it, as I mentioned in a previous article today, John W Henry and NESV want Comolli to work in a role that Theo Epstein has excelled at in his role as General Manager at the Boston Red Sox. Epstein follows Billy Beane’s sabermetric approach, a strategy that is clearly trying to be replicated by the appointment of Comolli who knows Beane quite well. John W Henry has set out a long term strategy that means bringing value for money, young prospects to the club. The metrics system in Baseball allows teams to find players who are shown through statistics to be worth more than their market value, and in football this can be most effectively utilised in acquiring young players before their value shoots up after year in year out consistent performances. Comolli’s time at Arsenal suggests he is capable of picking out a few diamonds, and his connection with Beane obviously closed the deal for Henry.

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