The future's bright, the future's Kenny: Dalglish days away from new deal
By Derek Hunter Last updated at 10:35 PM on 30th April 2011
Kenny Dalglish's future role in the Anfield revolution he started when he took over the reins as Liverpool's interim manager following the departure of Roy Hodgson in January could be settled by the end of next week.
And if the 60-year-old Scot is to be given the manager's job on the permanent basis both he and the Kop crave, then the deciding factor for the club's American owners may be the crucial part youth has played in the revival under Dalglish.
When he interrupted his holiday cruise in the Gulf with his wife, Marina, to answer Liverpool's call, he took over a club he had served so brilliantly as a player and a manager when they were languishing just four points away from the Premier League relegation zone.
Since then, Dalglish has guided Liverpool back into the top six and that has been achieved despite his squad suffering a lengthy injury list, losing the services of such senior players as Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio.
Dalglish's response has been to give youth a chance and his willingness to draft in the likes of Jay Spearing, Jonjo Shelvey, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson - 22, 19, 18 and 17 respectively - has impressed owner John W Henry and his Fenway Sports Group.
Along with 24-year-old Brazilian Lucas Leiva, that young quartet have helped to breathe new life into Dalglish's team and Liverpool face visitors Newcastle United on Sunday unbeaten at Anfield since his return.
'It helps the atmosphere to see a couple of local lads, younger boys, come in and do well,' said Dalglish.
'And with the lads that are here, there isn't any danger of them being carried away. They are pretty sensible young boys who come from good homes and that helps as well.
'Jay is 22 but he's still growing. He's done really well for us. He and Lucas have been fantastic and Jay is probably one of the older generation now when you start getting 17 and 18-year-olds in.
'We're delighted for him and delighted with what he's done on the pitch. He can handle the praise a wee bit more than the younger ones, and if you want to give him the headlines then that's fine.
'He's been deserving of it since he came back in and it's not because he's a local boy, it's because he has done really well. It doesn't matter where he comes from.
'He has got a great character, a bubbly character, so he's good in and around the place as well, and he transfers that on to the pitch. He has a nice balance about him because he's not arrogant but he knows when he goes on the pitch he can compete, so that's good for us.'
Although there are still issues to be resolved regarding money and the length of contract, a deal to keep Dalglish at Anfield on a permanent basis is growing closer and Liverpool fans will know Dalglish's long-term role, at the very latest, by the time Liverpool play their final Premier League game on May 22.
The supporters have waited anxiously as Dalglish's anticipated appointment has been put on hold while the futures of executives Damien Comolli, the director of football, and managing director Ian Ayre, were given priority.
But both parties agree that the manager's position should now be finalised sooner rather than later so that the club have a full summer in which to make an overhaul to their squad.
Dalglish has made sure he has been hands-on regarding the club's future while negotiations over his own future have taken place and he was on a scouting trip to France to look at players last week.
Liverpool are planning largely to recruit up-and-coming talent this summer, with the likes of Rennes midfielder Sylvain Marveaux and Ipswich Town's talented teenager Connor Wickham high on their list of targets.
But there will be money available for one or two senior stars as well, with winger Stewart Downing on the radar if Aston Villa are willing to sell.
With Pepe Reina waiting to see if Manchester United or Arsenal back up their interest with a firm bid, Liverpool may also have to find a new goalkeeper.
Dalglish believes the arrival of the new owners has created 'a feel-good factor' at the club.
'The supporters have responded very well to them,' he said. 'And the appointments of Ian and Damien have been very positive as well. But the most important thing has been the results we're seeing and some of the performances as well.'
Dalglish has nothing but praise for the way the squad have reacted since he took over.
'What's pleased me most is the way the players have gone about training and thrown themselves into it,' he said. 'They've got behind what we are trying to do and the reward they have had for the hard work they have done is there for all to see, and that encourages them.
'On the whole, we can be very happy with what they have done. They have thoroughly deserved the results we've achieved and if they continue doing what they are doing, then I'm sure they will get more rewards.'
He was unimpressed by reports suggesting some of his players, including England striker Andy Carroll, had enjoyed a relaxing beer in the Madrid sunshine when they flew to the Spanish capital to watch Wednesday night's Champions League showdown between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Carroll is expected to miss Sunday's game against his old team because of a knee injury, but Dalglish was not worried about the 22-year-old taking time out in Spain with teammates Reina, Johnson and Raul Meireles.
'They're grown men aren't they? I'm not here to babysit,' he said. 'If they can handle the responsibility then we've all got a chance. If they went to watch Real Madrid v Barcelona, I hope they got a good education.
'I don't have a problem with it. If they want to go to Real Madrid against Barcelona and it doesn't interfere with their training, it's no problem for them.
'They can drive down to London and it would take them longer than to go to Madrid to watch a match there.
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By Derek Hunter Last updated at 10:35 PM on 30th April 2011
Kenny Dalglish's future role in the Anfield revolution he started when he took over the reins as Liverpool's interim manager following the departure of Roy Hodgson in January could be settled by the end of next week.
And if the 60-year-old Scot is to be given the manager's job on the permanent basis both he and the Kop crave, then the deciding factor for the club's American owners may be the crucial part youth has played in the revival under Dalglish.
When he interrupted his holiday cruise in the Gulf with his wife, Marina, to answer Liverpool's call, he took over a club he had served so brilliantly as a player and a manager when they were languishing just four points away from the Premier League relegation zone.
Since then, Dalglish has guided Liverpool back into the top six and that has been achieved despite his squad suffering a lengthy injury list, losing the services of such senior players as Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio.
Dalglish's response has been to give youth a chance and his willingness to draft in the likes of Jay Spearing, Jonjo Shelvey, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson - 22, 19, 18 and 17 respectively - has impressed owner John W Henry and his Fenway Sports Group.
Along with 24-year-old Brazilian Lucas Leiva, that young quartet have helped to breathe new life into Dalglish's team and Liverpool face visitors Newcastle United on Sunday unbeaten at Anfield since his return.
'It helps the atmosphere to see a couple of local lads, younger boys, come in and do well,' said Dalglish.
'And with the lads that are here, there isn't any danger of them being carried away. They are pretty sensible young boys who come from good homes and that helps as well.
'Jay is 22 but he's still growing. He's done really well for us. He and Lucas have been fantastic and Jay is probably one of the older generation now when you start getting 17 and 18-year-olds in.
'We're delighted for him and delighted with what he's done on the pitch. He can handle the praise a wee bit more than the younger ones, and if you want to give him the headlines then that's fine.
'He's been deserving of it since he came back in and it's not because he's a local boy, it's because he has done really well. It doesn't matter where he comes from.
'He has got a great character, a bubbly character, so he's good in and around the place as well, and he transfers that on to the pitch. He has a nice balance about him because he's not arrogant but he knows when he goes on the pitch he can compete, so that's good for us.'
Although there are still issues to be resolved regarding money and the length of contract, a deal to keep Dalglish at Anfield on a permanent basis is growing closer and Liverpool fans will know Dalglish's long-term role, at the very latest, by the time Liverpool play their final Premier League game on May 22.
The supporters have waited anxiously as Dalglish's anticipated appointment has been put on hold while the futures of executives Damien Comolli, the director of football, and managing director Ian Ayre, were given priority.
But both parties agree that the manager's position should now be finalised sooner rather than later so that the club have a full summer in which to make an overhaul to their squad.
Dalglish has made sure he has been hands-on regarding the club's future while negotiations over his own future have taken place and he was on a scouting trip to France to look at players last week.
Liverpool are planning largely to recruit up-and-coming talent this summer, with the likes of Rennes midfielder Sylvain Marveaux and Ipswich Town's talented teenager Connor Wickham high on their list of targets.
But there will be money available for one or two senior stars as well, with winger Stewart Downing on the radar if Aston Villa are willing to sell.
With Pepe Reina waiting to see if Manchester United or Arsenal back up their interest with a firm bid, Liverpool may also have to find a new goalkeeper.
Dalglish believes the arrival of the new owners has created 'a feel-good factor' at the club.
'The supporters have responded very well to them,' he said. 'And the appointments of Ian and Damien have been very positive as well. But the most important thing has been the results we're seeing and some of the performances as well.'
Dalglish has nothing but praise for the way the squad have reacted since he took over.
'What's pleased me most is the way the players have gone about training and thrown themselves into it,' he said. 'They've got behind what we are trying to do and the reward they have had for the hard work they have done is there for all to see, and that encourages them.
'On the whole, we can be very happy with what they have done. They have thoroughly deserved the results we've achieved and if they continue doing what they are doing, then I'm sure they will get more rewards.'
He was unimpressed by reports suggesting some of his players, including England striker Andy Carroll, had enjoyed a relaxing beer in the Madrid sunshine when they flew to the Spanish capital to watch Wednesday night's Champions League showdown between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Carroll is expected to miss Sunday's game against his old team because of a knee injury, but Dalglish was not worried about the 22-year-old taking time out in Spain with teammates Reina, Johnson and Raul Meireles.
'They're grown men aren't they? I'm not here to babysit,' he said. 'If they can handle the responsibility then we've all got a chance. If they went to watch Real Madrid v Barcelona, I hope they got a good education.
'I don't have a problem with it. If they want to go to Real Madrid against Barcelona and it doesn't interfere with their training, it's no problem for them.
'They can drive down to London and it would take them longer than to go to Madrid to watch a match there.
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