Liverpool owners jet in to appoint Dalglish

Liverpool's owners will fly into Merseyside before the weekend to finalise Kenny Dalglish's coronation as the permanent boss of the club.

Chairman Tom Werner and principal owner John Henry are hope to announce the deal before Sunday's vital showdown with Spurs.

There are now only a few details to wrap up, as talks have progressed with caretaker manager Dalglish since April.

The two Americans will complete the deal themselves when they jet in to watch the crucial Premier League game.

Liverpool know victory will confirm a near-miraculous place in next season's Europa League, and the incredible job that King Kenny has done since returning to his beloved club on a tide of emotion back in January.

The owners realise nothing would lift the fans and the players before the game more than an announcement that Dalglish is to be the next permanent manager of Liverpool.

The length of the manager's tenure and the nature of his relationship with Director of Football Damien Comolli are still to be clearly defined, but Dalglish has always maintained he is happy to serve the club in any way possible, so that is seen as a formality.

For their part, Henry and Werner have nothing but admiration for the job the Anfield legend has done since he took over a side that was struggling just above the relegation zone, and transformed them into the form team in the division.

Even a fortnight ago, no one gave Liverpool a chance of snatching fifth spot and a place in Europe, but now they are strong favourites to deny Tottenham that position, and the owners are grateful to Dalglish for the job he has done.

Ideally, they would like to turn Sunday's game into a carnival occasion, with the new permanent manager lauded by the fans.

There is still time for that to happen if they can conclude talks by the end of the week, but if the clock beats them it will certainly be confirmed before the final weekend of the season.
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