A year on: Dalglish’s cruise docks at Anfield

Kenny welcomed in his spiritual home - Photo: LFCTV

What a mammoth difference a year makes for Liverpool. Sunday marks the anniversary of Kenny Dalglish’s return to Liverpool FC.

On New Year’s Day last year, the side eked out an unfashionable victory against Bolton, courtesy of Joe Cole’s goal in the 92nd minute. Although it panned out to be a winning start to 2011 for then-manager Roy Hodgson, the match was played out in front of 10,000 empty seats – hardly the sort of attendance you’ll expect at a world revered footballing institution. The morale amongst staff was lowly, the side was devoid of confidence and the Club lacked a direction.

Just five days later away at Ewood Park, Hodgson oversaw one of the most damning defeats of his reign. Liverpool felled so meekly to Blackburn Rovers. They surrended too timidly far often, especially on the road where they had only won once all season. At that point in time, Liverpool sat on negative goal difference hanging just four points off the relegation zone.

With fans having campaigned to relieve Hodgson of his duties for months, the latest blow proved to his last. Owner John W Henry, having assessed Hodgson for close to 12 weeks, decided that the axe should rightly fall on the English manager. In strode Kenny Dalglish, who was holidaying on a cruise in the Persian Gulf then to take charge of first-team matters starting with Manchester United in FA’s Cup 3rd round.

Although club legend Dalglish was not afforded the luxury of enjoying a winning start, signs were prevalent that it’s a start of a new dawn for everyone associated with Liverpool FC. Change was Liverpool’s most prominent constant as personnel came and go. In the January 2011 window, Dalglish oversaw the departures of Dutch hot-shot Ryan Babel as well as star striker Fernando Torres. Dalglish went on to break the Club’s transfer record – twice – in the space of two days as he signed Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll for a total combined fee of £58M.

Liverpool saw an immediate swing in fortunes on the pitch as Dalglish looked to reassert a feeling of normalcy around Anfield. It only took two winless games before Liverpool went on the sort of form which would draw envious looks from their fellow Premier League counterparts. A 3-0 win at Wolves proved to be a turning point – Liverpool continued to move from strength to strength as they registered wins against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City – and there was even a concerted last-ditch push for a top-four finish which ultimately proved to be an excercise in futility.

Nevertheless, the astonishing swing of results with which Dalglish had overseen meant there was no hesitation for him to be handed a permanent contract. In May, the formalities were sorted and the club could move on safe in the knowledge that there was stability all around the echelons of Liverpool’s boardroom – something that was severely damaged during the predecessors’ tumultuous ownership.

In the summer transfer window, Dalglish and Comolli worked in tandem to scout, identify and buy players who could make a difference on this club. They believed that players who currently plied their trade in England should be of priority and in strode seven players. Doni, Coates, Enrique, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Bellamy now all roll of the lips of all Liverpool supporters.

There was a geniune wave of optimism amongst supporters so much so that there were even faint whispers of a looming title challenge. There was fresh impetus about the side whenever Liverpool play. And while some of the signings haven’t set the world alight with their displays, it is heartening to note that some players have become a model for consistency. Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel are currently playing their best form of their lives, shielded by an ever-present, but unfortunately presently crocked Lucas Leiva who once divided opinion amongst fans but is now one of the first names of the team-sheet. Bellamy and Maxi Rodriguez, veterans of the game have still plenty to contribute to the cause as Dalglish’s machine currently rolls on.

Whilst wheels of a possible title challenge have railed off, a finish in the top four is still very much on the agenda. Liverpool are currently just three points off that elusive fourth spot, in a far healthier position that they were just a year ago. Friday night’s sellout against third-tier Oldham at Anfield is just one obvious indication of that, compared to the 35,400 attendance that Hodgson saw on his final Anfield outing.

Liverpool must walk on from here, learning from past mistakes and applying it into the future. And no one knows better than Dalglish, who now looks towards his second year in the hotseat with Anfield rocking together.

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