KENNY Dalglish a.k.a “King Kenny” to the Kopites, took over the reins at Liverpool FC in January 2011 as a caretaker manager until the end of the season. Replacing the defensive mindset of Roy Hodgson, King Kenny brought the smiles back to the Anfield faithful. However, King Kenny’s second stint at Liverpool has been a mixed bag of emotions for the fans and the owners.
On the 7th January 2011 Roy Hodgson was sacked as the manager of Liverpool after just 192 days in charge.
His tenure saw Liverpool sink to all time low to 12th in the position. On the 8th of January Kenny Dalglish was appointed as caretaker manager till the end of the season. He brought in Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll from Ajax and Newcastle respectively for a total sum of £58m. He then sold want away striker Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50m and Ryan Babel for £6m to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.
On the pitch, Liverpool began playing as a team again; there was movement as they adopted a “pass and move” approach played like the legendary Liverpool teams used to do, both before Dalglish and under his last spell as Liverpool manager. The players appeared to be more motivated playing under Dalglish than they were under Roy Hodgson. Luis Suarez made an immediate impact on the team with his brilliant movement, technique and eye for a good pass. Even with the big players such as Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson injured, Liverpool kept on winning games. What looked like a fight against relegation a couple of months ago radically transformed into a race against for a European spot. After successfully leading Liverpool from the bottom half of the table to 6th spot Dalglish was appointed long-term manager on the 12th of May, signing a three-year contract.
After the encouraging 6 months in charge King Kenny brought in Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Doni, Charlie Adam, Sebastian Coates and Jose Enrique to further strengthen the squad and pose a serious challenge to Champions League spot. The season started on a positive note and Liverpool constantly looked good to finish in the top four.
On the 26th of February King Kenny lead Liverpool to their first trophy is six years, when they beat Cardiff City in penalties to lift the trophy. However, within 7 days of that historic win, Liverpool suffered a huge setback to their quest for the top 4 finish, when they lost 1-2 to Arsenal at Anfield, though Liverpool played superb game still they could not win it. A missed penalty and hitting the woodwork twice and some great finishing from RVP did the trick for Arsenal. This would also be the first home defeat for the Reds this season. The dust of that home defeat to Arsenal did not even settle yet and Reds were condemned to their second successive league defeat in as many weeks. The downward spiral for Liverpool started from the Carling Cup win and they went on to lose 8 matches out of 15 they played including the FA cup Final against Chelsea.
After 4 months since King Kenny lead Liverpool to first trophy since 2006, Liverpool finished 8th in the League. The league form has been bad and disappointing; however in his first full season he has managed to win a trophy i.e. Carling Cup, though termed as a “Mickey Mouse” trophy but a trophy nonetheless and lead the team to FA Cup final.
I would not go into the debate “we should not criticize King Kenny because he has done this or that in the past” because everyone knows what he has done for us in the past, so I feel we don’t need to go back to those days. And if we talk about the present day, then I would like to point out that he is the man to lead us to two finals in one season and our first trophy in 6 years. So I don’t think that it is a bad season. If we put our focus to the league then yes, I would have to admit that things did not the way we had expected when the season began. He spent huge amount of money on players who have not performed barred Bellamy and Enrique, almost everyone has more or less disappointed us throughout the season with inconsistent performances. In the league there were a lot of matches which we should have won easily, but missed penalties and the woodwork (mind you we have hit it more than 30 times this season) cost us the 3 points and these matches either ended in a draw or a loss.
We all saw how the team played throughout the season so far and I don’t think it is only King Kenny’s mistake or his fault. If he is responsible for the poor showing then I think the entire team is equally to be blamed. We all have spoken widely about King Kenny’s line-ups and team selection. However, under him every senior player has got fair share of chances but results have remained the same. So, if he is to go then I guess we should as well change the entire team and bring in new players. But that is not my point, my point however, is that yes, in the league we haven’t had the luck but we are doing well in the domestic cups. Am I disappointed at the position we are in right now, yes, I am very much and it hurts more to look back and realize that we should have been in a better position had it not been for the missed chances. However, we all know that the team has played some great football in the league so far.
It has been 16 months of a roller coaster ride with King Kenny, but in my view he is doing his job perfectly. What he needs right now is patience and time from the supporters and the owners and what he does not need right now is the so called “fans” who are happy only when the team is winning. I am not saying that I love losing or drawing a game but yes, we can’t always win.
We need to understand that it’s his first full season in charge and he is building a team that would be great in next 2-3 seasons. All we need is patience. I hate to say it but we should learn patience from our bitterest rivals Man Utd. Fergie joined United in ‘86 as the manager and it was only in 89-90 season that he won the first trophy. Kenny is doing far better than that; he has won 1 trophy already and has qualified for Europe. Not reaching top 4 surely hurts that however is not the end, this is just the beginning. King Kenny has already instilled the belief in us and he will change all these beliefs into reality. It is just a matter of time. IN KENNY WE TRUST. LONG LIVE THE KING.
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Give him time to build a team? He’s wasted £100 million and his League record compares unfavourably with Hodgson – who was given no time at all. KKK is yesterday’s man.
i hear city are doing well, please go and support them now.
If David Cameron pick the cabinet, spent tax payers money and yet lead the country to ruin, going by this logic he does not have to resign because technically his cabinet collegues did not perform not him right?
You and those of your ilk are nothing more than a deluded KD fan so please do not insult the club and real LFC fans lke us by claiming to be one of us.
KD bought the players, picked the team, selected the tactics, spent 113 mill and yet he is not responsible for our dismal results this season.
All of you can argue that those signings can come good but this is said more in hope isn’t it?
How much did Everton and NUFC the 2 teams that is above us spent? NUFC build almost their entire attack with the Carroll money. Yes selective presentation of facts as usual.
KD blame everone and everything (referees, goalpost, luck) for our dismal results but never himself.
Tell me over the course of an entire season if he had proven to be rubbish, how can suddenly KD miracously come good in 3 months time?
Disrespectful plastic fan.
He did not waste 100 mil, Carroll will / is coming good, Henderson is one for the future, we have already seen the glimpses of his potential.
He signed Downing with the hope that he is a ready-made premiership material, it has not quite worked that way but it still might.
Criticism can be directed at Kenny and those involved because of the exorbitant prices paid for these signings, but their quality will be proven in time, be CERTAIN of that.
Kenny is not the best manager out there, not my first choice but he did not ‘waste’ 100 mil or whatever the number is.
Some sense on the internet! Thankyou.
And the new players are learning. Like Lucas did. Remember the rubbish he got from the internet?!?
Kenny absolutely must stay.
Spot on
Intresting arguemet and to be fair those comparing him to the England manager let’s not forget how bad things had got under RH. At the moment we have no top players demanding to leave, unlike Agger 18 months ago. We aren’t looking at relegation which was a real fear when Kenny took over, we aren’t faced with utter gloom which we were back then. However when you finish behind Everton and have spent big money on Downing, Adam, Henderson and Carroll (the later 2 have potential) and got very little back you have to ask questions. Amazing how just 3 years ago we just missed out on the league now we’re near 40 points behind, the anti Rafa brigade would have lynched him for that and it should be noted that Jamie Kanwar is trying to get Kenny sacked. Now I like to believe I’m reasoable and disagree with short termism but I have a feeling that Kenny has run out of time with our owners.
You are very wrong by saying we didn’t fear religation at some point this season. In the second half of this season, we finished 19th on the log & tell me how that isn’t a religation form. Anyone backing KKD is highly sentimental in the main. KKD is a man of yesterday, can’t even motivate his players.
man city spent a fortune and it took them a while to break the top 4. so calm down and give the manager a chance. get behind the team or move on glory hunters.
I could quote stat after stat after stat but in reality I have one answer to your silly comment about relegation which is grow up and smell the coffee we were no where near relegation this season, simple. Read what I say I don’t argue one way or another but to be fair better to be yesterday’s man than a never was or never will be like you Ezeson
You deluded sentimental Kenny’s die hard fans, should wake up, to reality.
Kenny has waisted an obcene ammount of money, on mediocre british players, in order to accumulate the LOWEST points since 1990.
You say that this is only his first season?, how long was Hodgson given?, with a fraction of the money, KD has waisted?.
Your Kenny should have gone, month’s ago. He will not resign, as he is now more interested of lining his pockets…….and that is a FACT!!!!.
Red. Congratulations…you win the most idiotic fictional ‘FACT’ statement of the day award on the entire internet. That takes some doing, well done! Now please take @Lee’s advice to @HopelesslyDeluded – you obviously need it.
@Jimmy. I noticed that you offer no facts to back up you claim other than your sentiments for KD.
Did or did not KD spent 113 mill, finished lower than teams who spent much much less that us (Newcastle & Everton), Our worst point tally since the Prem League started, Worst non winning run since 1953, Worst home record since 1953, i could go on and on but yiy get thye drift.
Now lets hear some FACTS, real facts, why KD should `stay?
@Chan – I made no claim at all, therefore had no facts to offer if you wish to re-read my post. Somebody giving an OPINION on why Dalglish should/shouldn’t stay is just that: an OPINION, not fact. I was responding to the ‘fact’ that was presented, stating that the manager is here to line his pockets only…where is the fact in that? Yet again you’re making yourself sound quite stupid with your eagerness to spout your negativity at every opportunity with anyone you think doesn’t agree with you. As Editor of the site, it’s getting quite tiresome…
Possibly the most nauseating biased report I have probably ever read. Finishing 8th having spent all that money is a disgrace. RH had nothing to spend and WBA finished 10th. Liverpools Carroll cost 3 times more than the whole WBA team cost,and still they think he is “king kenny” – what jokers!
Well said, real jokers. Wonder what are they smoking. Probably the same stuff as KD, highly deluded.
Thing is Petef, Albion’s players weren’t arrongant enough to think they couldn’t learn anything from Hodgson’s methods. Unfortuantely Liverpool’s stars didn’t share that viewpoint, and here we are – a season and a half and £100m later and very little improvement on the Red side of Stanley Park.
As for you Lee, who is this City you mention – Birmingham? Coventry? When I last looked there was only one top team in the Midlands, and we hadn’t spunked £35m on Andy Carrot.
Last summers signings have been disasterous, not one have been any use to us. Shocked to what has happened to us. Can’t score, can conceed, £120 mill wasted. Not sure Kenny will come back after his trip to the states, if he does, won’t have any cash, as he’s already spent it. Says he won’t ship anybody out, W.T.F!!??? if we’re stuck with Kenny, were stuck with the same players, same coaches, same tactics, same strange decisions! Looks like relegation form all over again. I support LFC NOT K.D.
ok so you want kk to tell the world that he wants rid of this player or that player ? puts us in a strong negotiating position when selling,eh? and as for the tactics, have you watched the team this year? playing well m8, just thought i’d let u know. go latch on to barca or city maybe madrid then you’ll be guaranteed success, come back in a couple of seasons when kenny’s had a chance to build a team. IDIOT………..
If finishing 8th its not a bad season for u and people like u than GOD HELP US. KD is doing he’s job perfectly. One look at PL table tells that HE’S NOT DOING HIS JOB
PERFECTLY Finishing behind Newcastle who two years ago were in championship tells u HES NOT DOING HIS JOB PERFECTLY. Finishing behind Everton after spending over 100 million tells u HE’S NOT DOING HIS JOB PERFECTLY. Yes he’s a LEGEND and will always b but that doesn’t mean that he should carry on to manage LFC as long as he wants. He’s gone to Boston for talks and lets hope FSG do the right thing for LIVERPOOL FC and move him on another role and this time get a proper mngr.
Everton spent 5.5 mill, NUFC built their entire attack and midfield with Carroll’s money. Look through the arguements of this KD fans, 0 tangible facts except for HE IS KD, HE CAN DO NO WRONG.
8th position and a league cup. Didn’t we taunt the`special one not too long ago for spending 100 mill to win the league cup. Except they finished way better than us in the league.
KD and his set of fans would ruin us. Charlton is a legend at MU but leave running of the club to SAF. Now this man really loves his club.
Very well written, but we all have to agree 6 wins 9 draws and 9 draws is unacceptable. I love Liverpool, and will continue anyone who is employed by the club but Kenny’s insistence on playing new players who were under performing at the expense of players who did their part when they were involved played a big role in our horrible league performances. Maxi and bellmay did more than downing and henderson yet they found themselves on the bench constantly. Kuyt had been playing well on the right but henderson was almost always picked ahead of him even though he was clearly uncomfortable there. Selling/loaning out one of our star players Meireles and our best pre season player Aquilani also played a huge role in our final position. Our play improved greatly, and we won a trophy but his decision making was poor through out that is undeniable and the best managers live and die by their decisions. Whatever FSG decide about the Kings future i will support. However we all must agree that something needs to change if our beloved club will rise to the top again…. YWNA
Dont remember such a reaction to Hodgson’s spell at Liverpool when there were other factors affecting performances…..Have some balls and sack Kenny for the same reasons…..hypocrites !
There is a myth about the england manager’s time at the club, he wasn’t supported by the fans. Garbage he was given a go but what with defending his negative play, his pathetic press comments, on away form, players, the fans even the opposition, let’s not forget Northampton were formidable opposition. Throw in the names Poulsen and Konchesky and you’re building a case to passionately dislike the guy but this tops it off, ‘This is a famous victory for this club’ after a 1=0 win at Bolton, who as we all know are powerhouses of European football. And if that didn’t freeze your bloodcells maybe this one will. ‘This was our best performance of the season’ after losing 2-0 to Everton and worse being outplayed, out thought, out muscled and flattered. Sure the League form has been poor but a club legend like Kenny Dalglish gets the fans and gets the club and for this alone he deserves respect which some on here don’t show him which is poor form.
Good article..sensible view from a proper fans perspective. Unfortunately I can’t read any more of these disloyal, disrespectful and quite frankly idiotic comments from plastic fans above who have no idea what being a Liverpool fan means. True Reds see the improvement and realise this was never going to happen in one season. I just hope Kenny is given the time to finish this project..YNWA to all true Reds
Did you keep the faith while Roy Hodgson was in charge?
It’s been a bad season for Liverpool, but through the adversity and despair, are we not better positioned to make progress next year?
It would be absolutely wrong to keep Kenny for sentimental reasons, should have nothing to do with the decision-making process. Kenny should be kept for pragmatic reasons. He now knows the players and the team better than anyone else and so is best placed to get the most out of them and where to strengthen the team.
How much of a disruption would it be for the players to see a new manager come in? How much money would need to be spent to make the team his own? Money that FSG don’t seem to have. The pragmatic path would be to stick with Kenny.
Whatever decision FSG makes, we as fans have to stand by it. But hopefully it follows a considered, ‘best interest’ approach and is not based on a desire to appease a handful of vocal fans or influenced by the vindictive media.
well said mate.
Well said Bob True Reds are here to support and attributes success to the improvements and more for the future with great contribution
Walk on true red,do one plastic fan,in king kenny the true reds trust.Ynwa
Kenny didn’t buy suarez, he already agreed to sign before kenny took over . Torres should have had his transfer request rejected and forced to finish the season, something Ferguson I’m sure would have done. Sure he would have sulked a bit but he would have quickyly got over the dissappointment and would probably leading the line with suarez now . Kenny can stay but let someone else bring in the talent !