Liverpool owner John W Henry: Dalglish doing “very well”

[DannyMan2006]

A wee dig at Wenger in there?

Not a dig, more a fact.

Man Utd are the best example of what should happen. Players who have not produced being replaced by players from the Academy and good signings. Not exclusively one or the other, just a balance.

It's not a fool proof method, as sometimes the youngsters will not be ready and sometimes the players you bring in will not be good enough. But that's the balance we should be aiming for.

[frank the tank]

**** sake john henry......give kenny the fuxckin contract......

[Mostar]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-Permanent-appointment-of-Kenny-Dalglish-as-manager-is-a-matter-of-time-says-midfielder-Lucas-Leiva-article726611.html

Dalglish deal 'just a matter of time'

Kenny Dalglish is still awaiting confirmation of his permanent appointment as Liverpool manager, but midfielder Lucas Leiva is confident it will only be "a matter of time".

The Scot has overseen such a remarkable turnaround in fortunes in such a short period there can be little argument against the man rated the club's greatest player being given the job on a long-term basis.

There is no doubt in the mind of Lucas it will happen sooner rather than later, with the Brazil international admitting the whole squad are keen to continue working with the 60-year-old to continue their progress.

"The way he came to the club and the way he changed a lot, it is just a matter of time [before] he will agree his new deal," said the 24-year-old, who has been the club's most consistent performer this season.

"As players, we just have to hope he will be here next year with us. We will try to win the next five games, if we do that we will be helping him as well.

"Kenny and Steve [Clarke, the former Chelsea assistant who arrived as coach just after Dalglish] have done really well. They have changed the principles of the training sessions with Sammy Lee, who has been here a few years already. The way they have changed things, giving all the team confidence, is really important.

"Kenny is the key to keeping everyone together and keep the confidence of everyone."

Clarke's influence should not be underestimated, but it appears changes elsewhere have had as much to do with the upturn in results as the work being done on the pitches at Melwood.

Roy Hodgson's ill-fated six-month spell in charge was among the worst fans can remember, with poor performances and an atmosphere of unrest and unhappiness among the squad.

Fenway Sports Group's purchase of the club in October ended the dysfunctional tenure of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and the renewed hope it brought briefly impacted on results.

But the downward spiral soon returned and it was not until, after nine defeats in 20 Barclays Premier League matches, Hodgson was replaced by Dalglish, that the transformation began.

Lucas feels it was not necessarily the tactical approach but a personal one which prompted the turnaround.

"One of the things I really like about Kenny is he treats everyone the same," he said. "It doesn't matter if you are young or a senior player, everyone has the same importance in the club and it gives everyone a big lift.

"We are together, more united. It is difficult to explain, but I feel the dressing room is much better now than it was before.

"We didn't have before the atmosphere that we have now in the dressing room.

"The relationship is not just professional. We have become more friends than before and that's helped a lot on the pitch. When you like your team-mates you try to help them a lot and that's that we are doing. The spirit has been really good.

"All the players are really looking forward to the future. The only way we will change things is if we are together."

Lucas, unlike many of his team-mates, was having a good campaign even before the change of manager, but feels he has benefited from the input of Dalglish.

"I am really happy with the way I am playing this season," he said. "A few players left and I had to take the responsibility more than previous seasons and I think that is why I am enjoying my football.

"Kenny has been really important for me because he's given me a lot of confidence. He's a manager that doesn't say a lot but when he does it's spot-on.

"I just have to keep going and I still have a lot of things to improve and the only way to keep the same level is to work hard."

Lucas will anchor the midfield against Birmingham at Anfield tomorrow as the Reds continue their bid to catch fifth-placed Tottenham.

"We know how important it is to play European competition next season and we are trying really hard to get it," he added. "Birmingham are a very difficult team, they beat Arsenal in the Carling Cup and I don't think people expected that, but it showed they have quality players and a good squad."

Meanwhile, the club have refused to comment on reports they have lined up a record-breaking £25million-a-year kit deal with Warrior - a subsidiary of New Balance - to begin in the 2012-13 season.

[BobTheCharmer]

If Dalglish doesn't get the job it'll as bad a decision from the new owners as anything the last lot came up with.

Get the contract signed in the break.

[Chris]

He's ****ing incredible. A pure winner and its rubbing off on the players. We're going places.

[BobTheCharmer]

He's ****ing incredible. A pure winner and its rubbing off on the players. We're going places.

It feels great.

[vlahka]

Dalglish is passed it!

Hang your heads in shame for even believing that.

[Bender]

If Dalglish doesn't get the job it'll as bad a decision from the new owners as anything the last lot came up with.

Get the contract signed in the break.

it'll all be sorted during the summer break

[lickedlollipop]

you know what? keep that lad.. he ****ing love this club, fans admire king kenny....
great results since he came here... happy days! i don't know what's happening with the contract, maybe kenny doesn't know how we can handle this in the future ?

YNWA

[cream]

The deal will have been done and dusted by now, there are too many positives for it not to happen. My only gripe is FSG didn't act quick enough in ****ing Roy off, what could've been...

[Exiled_red]

The deal will have been done and dusted by now, there are too many positives for it not to happen. My only gripe is FSG didn't act quick enough in ****ing Roy off, what could've been...

If Kenny had come in 2 or 3 games earlier I'd fancy us to nick the 4th spot. City and Spurs look to be running out of steam just as we have found our form, unfortunately the gap is just too wide.

[Rudo]

[BobTheCharmer]

If Kenny had come in 2 or 3 games earlier I'd fancy us to nick the 4th spot. City and Spurs look to be running out of steam just as we have found our form, unfortunately the gap is just too wide.

I think we have a great of chance of the title without europe getting in the way.

[yamiedo]

Anfield is a fortress again thanks to Dalglish. He has to get the job now

[Lisburn Red]

Contract Update?

On MOTD Hansen just clearly intimated that King Kenny is getting either a two or three year contract. This was said in the context of a discussion between Hansen and his mate King Kenny. Here's hoping!!!