Kenny: We’ll play ‘Liverpool way’
By Carl Markham

Friday, January 21, 2011

LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish is keen for the club to rediscover the style of their glory days — as it is the only way he knows how to play football.

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/...l#ixzz1BdRj7UQ5

How Kenny Dalglish is rejuvenating Torres and Liverpool FC
By Ben Thornley
Jan 20 2011

LIVERPOOL’S playing and backroom staff may be under orders not to talk up Kenny Dalglish’s credentials for the full-time Anfield job, but they don’t have to.  Judging by their  response on the field, it’s clear how the players feel.

To the casual observer a single point from two Premier League games preceded by an FA Cup exit would appear to reaffirm what the cynics said about  Dalglish’s romantic return.

Points, however,  can’t  measure the impact Dalglish has had on Anfield since resuming where he left off in 1991.

For the first time in years there is an air of optimism and excitement about the future of the club, with supporters, players, management and owners sharing the same vision for the Reds.

The focal point of this transformation is Dalglish, who  has provided the  leadership, inspiration and passion missing from the disastrous six-month tenure  of Roy Hodgson, the last symbol of the destructive  Hicks and Gillett regime.

Crucially he has also given belief to players and  supporters.

While the  team may be a pale imitation of the one the Liverpool legend left behind 20 years ago – although far better than his predecessor would ever admit – off the field it’s as if he’s never been away.

To a man less conceited and stuck in his ways than Hodgson, how Dalglish has gone about his business would provide a lesson in what it means to be the manager of Liverpool FC.

Press conferences are now a source of pride rather than embarrassment. When Dalglish addresses the media you hear a man fighting for Liverpool rather than himself, with cutting one liners replacing forced verbosity,  inspiration in place of demotivation.

The 59-year-old has inherited a host of problems from the Londoner. A squad shorn of spirit, resolve  and confidence by the former Fulham boss’ archaic approach and littered with poor buys.

Yet, refreshingly, at no point  has Dalglish attempted to assign blame to Hodgson, as he would be entitled to do.

He recognises now is the time to look to the future to recreate past glories.

Rather than alienate flops Christian Poulsen and Paul Konchesky, the Scot has attempted to bring them in from the cold, albeit partly through necessity, fostering a spirit of togetherness.

He’s put his faith in youngsters Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing and Jon-Jo Shelvey and been rewarded with excellent displays.

Kelly  has been the major success of Dalglish’s return but it is how he has begun to rejuvenate  Fernando Torres that will offer Liverpool fans the most encouragement about the rest of the season.

The Spain striker, in particular, suffered under the dispiriting reign of Hodgson, his regressive  tactics at odds with the number nine’s strengths.

It’s telling that Torres’ finest display under the ex-UAE boss, against Chelsea, coincided with Liverpool  playing  an aggressive pressing game high up the field.
It is an approach partly adopted by Dalglish.

That Liverpool have again  begun to  play football is also benefiting players like Torres, who has rediscovered  the hunger and willingness to chase possession that made his opening seasons such a success.

Like his team-mates, Torres now just needs a lucky break to relaunch  his season. And once Steven Gerrard returns from his three-game ban  to reopen the supply line the striker craves, lift off for Torres and Liverpool will surely follow.

None of this, of course, disguises that the Reds  have yet to win under Dalglish and that  there remains several challenges the manager must overcome.

Some, like a lack of creativity and quality back-up to Torres will hopefully be resolved in the transfer market, while the addition of Steve Clarke will help to remedy defensive weaknesses.

However, Liverpool’s fragile confidence,  chief among their problems, will only improve with  results.

Given the new found spirit at Anfield it’s only a matter of time before they improve and Liverpool are back challenging at the right end of the table.

I've read that some people have begun to criticise King Kenny and I can only say that these bunch of people don't know football. They likely read the papers and note that we've lost 2 and drawn 1. Are they completely blind to the other signs??? Let me list a few, what I think to be obvious signs of improvement.

Actually, I would love to see how Martin Kelly will do there. From what I've seen this season, he's more physically adept than Martin Skrtel. Both are the same height but Kelly has been stronger in the air, and he's definitely the quicker of the two. Skrtel doesn't read the game particularly well either and with a little more exposure, Kelly could just turn out to be Carra's replacement. No need to look elsewhere unless we absolutely have to. Having said that, signing a centreback is crucial to address our immediate defensive woes what with Skrtel out of sorts, Carra looking like he's getting on and Kyrgiakos vulnerable against quicker forwards.

Sami Hyypia? Fantastic player but I've nothing against the club letting him go. He constantly found it a struggle to keep pace with the game in England and I do think it was time for him to find greener pastures. Looking forward to him returning in the capacity of a coach though.

On the issue of transfers, looks like we're weighing up a bid for James Milner. Seems like he's been around for ages but he's still only 25. Of all the players we've been linked with recently, I think Milner is the most exciting. He can play anywhere across the middle and he's quick enough to play wide.

On another note, Xabi says "hi".

Those people are very annoying Rafa rats still lurking around Liverpool with nothing optimistic in their agenda.

We should all come out for a drink one day to watch a Liverpool game. I'm eager to listen to pro-Liverpool fan's verdict on games.

What this space then
http://my-rawk.com/

Kenny Dalglish today paid tribute to Rafael Benitez for his part in reviving Liverpool's youth academy.

Conor Coady and Suso, two mainstays of the current under-17 squad, were familiarised with Melwood, the club's training ground, this week as part of plans to blood more youngsters from the previously ailing centre of excellence in Kirkby into the senior ranks in the long-term
.

Kirkby underwent a significant transformation in the summer of 2009 when Benitez, then manager of the Reds, enlisted the services of Rodolfo Borrell and Pep Segura - key figures in Barcelona's La Masia academy set-up.

In addition to recruiting his compatriots, the Spaniard also brought one-time chief scout Frank McParland back to his former club to oversee the progression of Liverpool's rising stars.

And Dalglish has hailed Benitez, who left the club acrimoniously last summer, for his efforts in restoring the Anfield production line following more than a decade of decline.

He said: "I wouldn't go and say there are any kids who played in the Youth Cup against Crystal Palace are going to be first team [yet] but the progress at the Academy in the last year and a half has been absolutely fantastic.

"That's great credit to Rafa who brought in Pep Segura, Rodolfo Borrell and Frank McParland. He reorganised the whole Academy and you can see the benefit in the kids now. It's fantastic to see.

"The reserve team's average age has been drastically reduced. Whether we get them through or not, we'd never put that pressure on them, but we're clearly encouraged by the work that's being done there and it's a work in progress."

http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverp...uth-set-up.html

A couple of days ago, I mentioned that above all, I want to see King Kenny re-establishing the pass and move football we used to play back in the late 80's/early 90's. I expressed my opinion on how I thought signing big players came secondary to this. Since then I've come across this article.
1 point in 3 games may appear to be a slow start for any manager but we all know that numbers only tell half the story. If I may, I'd like to quote an analogy I read somewhere regarding oil tankers. It has been said that if you were to turn to engines off on an oil tanker, it would drift another 4-5 miles before it came to a full stop and could be turned around. The article continued to express how we were like this oil tanker. Results or change would not come instantaneously and any fan with half the gift of thought can see that.

I've read that some people have begun to criticise King Kenny and I can only say that these bunch of people don't know football. They likely read the papers and note that we've lost 2 and drawn 1. Are they completely blind to the other signs??? Let me list a few, what I think to be obvious signs of improvement.

1) Morale has improved amongst players and fans. Players like Torres and Reina have reiterated their desire to see out their contracts. Almost everyone else has expressed their confidence in King Kenny who is revered and well respected.

2) Our football has improved. Even though we lost against the mancs, it took King Kenny only 59 minutes to make a positive double change, even when we were a man down. He threw caution to the wind, and best still, he had a plan B. Sure beats seeing your gaffer rub his face or stroke his chin when you go behind eh?

3) His interviews have been brilliant and he clearly knows what he wants and needs to do at the club.

Aren't these 3 points alone cause to be optimistic?

On a side note, does anyone follow Ryan Babel on twitter? You should. It's hilarous now that he's in "twitter jail".

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Added on January 21, 2011, 11:28 amHere is an article I came across which echoes my thougths.

Anyone read the news about Konchesky might be used as a bargaining chip for Dempsey?

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/media-watch...verpool-dempsey

Villa signed Bent for £24m, they are strengthening their attack, I can't see them letting A. Young to leave unless for a crazy amount of money....

Our defenses start to crumble apart since the departure of Hyypia... he's not having much of playing time but his experiences and leadership as senior defender in training ground is a huge loss. That's is why both Rafa and Hodgson offered him a coaching role's contract. Unfortunately he refused, cos he still want to play... the departure of Masch later, makes thing worst. Our weaken defenses is now over exposed.. like I've been saying a thousand times earlier, we need a ball winner midfielder, a link between attack and defense. If there's no one in the market, maybe, just maybe, we could convert Kuyt to play that role, I bet he can chased down the opponents all day long... what Lucas 'the statue' failed to do... yet.

Too many mediocre signings... and we ended up spending a lot overall.  Would you buy 10 Wiras, or just one BMW?  One would think it would be obvious, especially you really need ONE good car.

Glen Johnson new haircut

Hope he can perform much better after the haircut



more pictures here

thank you Getty Images

Sorry la, I am new here don't know what is My-Rawk... I only know how to watch football thats all...

such an ace of an article! thanks Duke! gotta say Dalglish's return really has some effected  the players and club and not to mention the supporters in a positive way.The last remnant of the attrocious G&H era are completely wiped out
I for one wouldnt mind him taking reigns longer than this season, yes he's only been 3 games in charge but at least the management owes it to the man at least a full season. Never had a chance to watch him lead the team during the 80's, so glad I get a chance now.undoubted legend.

I for one am looking forward to every Liverpool matches now compared to the dross we've been serving up under Hodgson's time. If rumors are to be true we might just have Young and Suarez by the end of January. Interesting times