Dalglish promises a busy summer in store at Anfield
King Kenny outlines intention to spend again after being confirmed as Reds’ permanent boss
LIVERPOOL boss Kenny Dalglish has vowed to freshen up his squad in the summer with a smattering of new signings after yesterday finally signing a three-year contract confirming him as the club’s permanent manager.
The 60-year-old, who swapped an ambassadorial role for a return to the Anfield dugout after a 20-year absence in January, has led Liverpool from 12th place in the Premier League to the brink of Europa League qualification, largely on the back of the transfer window dealings which saw Fernando Torres depart for Chelsea and replaced by Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.
And Dalglish admits Liverpool’s hopes of challenging Manchester United’s supremacy next season could well hinge on how well he spends the funds that will be at his disposal in the summer.
“For ourselves, like every other football club, there will be movement in and out and I am sure there will be plenty of speculation.
“There will be movement in and out, it’s part and parcel of pre-season and football clubs, and we’ll be doing business. But the better we do business, the more successful we’ll be.”
“Whether it (spending) is massively or whether it’s cheaply doesn’t make any difference as long as you spend well. Budgets are all very well and good, but they are never a guarantee of attaining success on the field.
Dalglish, whose assistant Steve Clarke also signed a permanent contract while Damien Comolli was promoted to director of football, played down suggestions the club’s new American owners had dithered over an appointment many felt could have been rubber stamped several months ago.
He said: “There might have been some people saying three or four weeks ago, ‘Why hasn’t it happened?’ but we knew we were still going about our jobs anyway and do them as well as we possibly could.
“There has been nothing wrong with any of the timing, no problems with any of the discussions, it’s just the way it was done.
“It suited everybody to get it done and dusted – but only if it was right for everybody and when it was the right time.
“There was never a need for anybody to dive in and make any rash decisions, the club or ourselves.”
SEASON OF TWO HALVES | ROY V KENNY
Hodgson’s record: Played 20; Won 7; Drawn 4; Lost 9; Points 25; Goals for 24; Goals against 27.
Dalglish’s record: Played 16; Won 10; Drawn 3; Lost 3; Points 33; Goals for 35; Goals against 14.
DALGLISH EFFECT | FIVE KEY CHANGES
Given the club’s academy players such as Jay Spearing a chance
Shrewd in the transfer market, losing Torres and gaining Suarez and Carroll
Tactically flexible – switching between three and four at the back
Built a side no longer dependant on the presence of club captain Gerrard
Reignited the passion of the Kop uniting the fans behind the team