Kenny Dalglish hailed “fantastic” Jurgen Klopp as the key to Liverpool’s first English title for 30 years after the Reds were crowned Premier League champions on Thursday.
Until Klopp arrived
at Anfield in 2015, Liverpool were in danger of being left behind by
big-spending Manchester City and Chelsea.
But the Liverpool
manager has revived the club in stunning style, culminating in the first league
championship since Anfield icon Dalglish last led the Reds to the title in
1990.
“The last few years
since Jurgen came in has been very positive the whole way through. He has been
fantastic,” Dalglish told BT Sport.
“He epitomises
everything that Liverpool Football Club stands for. He appreciates it, he
respects everyone who works at the club.
“They have all got
his respect. Whatever they have got they deserve it, it’s not just a one off
because last year they came within a point of it.
“This year they
have only lost one, they have drawn two, they have won a Club World
championship, they won the Champions League last year as well.”
Dalglish admitted
Liverpool’s long title drought was unthinkable when he and his team, featuring
stars like Ian Rush and John Barnes, lifted the silverware three decades ago.
Asked if he
expected the wait to be so long, Dalglish said: “No, I think if you did you
would have been arrested and sectioned. You don’t know, sometimes things
happen.”
‘Onwards and upwards’
Having ended City’s
two-year reign as champions, Dalglish believes Liverpool can reign for a
sustained period.
“Onwards and
upwards. I think we’ve got a lot more happy days to look forward to as long as
Jurgen is there,” he said.
“You know how much
it means. By the way it’s hard work to dominate the English league when you’ve
got quality like Manchester City.
“Manchester City’s
problems have always been at the back I think. Losing Vincent Kompany, they
haven’t effectively replaced him.
“They have some
fantastic players but they will lose David Silva as well. I don’t think they
will dominate like they have in the last two years.”
Widely regarded as
the club’s greatest player, Dalglish won three league titles during his first
spell as Liverpool boss from 1985 to 1991.
Dalglish believes
there are similarities between his 1990 champions and Klopp’s group, who also
won the Champions League last season and the Club World Cup this term.
“For me both teams
are exactly the same. There is no arrogance, no big heads, nobody thinking they
are better than anybody else,” he said.
“They are all very
humane. You hear stories of them paying for everybody’s petrol, they seem
humble.”
Dalglish did his
interview with BT Sport decked out in a Liverpool scarf and holding a glass of
champagne.
“I remember Bob
Paisley said once after winning the European Cup in Rome, he never had a drink
because he wanted to remember the occasion. Well, Bob, I never took your
advice!” he said as he raised his glass to toast Klopp and his players.
