Kop’s king coming to Cork for first visit

Last Saturday, Kenny Dalglish was in his usual spot at Anfield. He was there doing something he’s done hundreds of times before.

With a broad smile, he was applauding another Liverpool goal and another Liverpool win.

He is usually the first person in the crowd that the tv cameras pan to when something happens at Anfield because he is perhaps the greatest living symbol of Liverpool FC.

When you’ve been one of the club’s greatest players, as well as one of the greatest managers, you are a bit special, and that’s why fans nicknamed him King Kenny.

The Scottish-born legend briefly answered some questions from The Cork Independent ahead of his appearance in Cork this month along with his broadcaster daughter Kelly Cates.

Before he hits Cork on 21 March for An Audience with Kenny Dalglish Live, he's looking forward to another trip to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final this Sunday against Newcastle. He’s looking forward to seeing old friends and it’s a venue he graced many times as a player and manager.

Glasgow-born Dalglish became a hugely successful forward at Celtic scoring 111 goals in 204 appearances before being signed by Liverpool manager Bob Paisley for a British record fee in 1977.

In England he scored 118 goals in 355 games winning 3 European Cups, as well as league titles, FA Cups and league cups.

He became player manager at Anfield in 1985, winning the double in his first season. The next season was trophyless before his side dominated the league a year later but suffering an upset in the FA Cup against Wimbledon in 1988. The FA Cup was won again a year later although Liverpool lost the league title on the last day against Arsenal. In 1990, he won his last league title for the club. It was a seismic shock when he resigned as manager of Liverpool on 22 February 1991 with his team three points clear in the league and still in the FA Cup.

He returned as manager in January 2011 and in 2012 led the club to its first trophy in six years. He lost the FA Cup 2-1 to Chelsea in the same year but was sacked.

The great man is looking forward to coming to Cork and meeting people with his daughter Kelly Cates. He will be talking about his life at Celtic and Liverpool and said he really appreciates people coming out to see him.

He wants to give people a memory to take away with them. He adds that it’s very humbling that people still want a photograph with him.

Kenny said he’s really enjoying watching LFC this season mentioning the great football they are playing. On Liverpool’s latest manager Arne Slot, Kenny said he likes his humility and his humanity - he’s very approachable. Dalglish added that he seems to understand “the Liverpool way”, describing him as a “lovely fella” within the club and outside it.

Slot had huge shoes to fill, taking over from Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s most successful manager since Dalglish himself. Dalglish is coy on comparing any Liverpool managers but added that he’s “very grateful for what he achieved for LFC” and that the club “couldn’t have asked for more from him”.

Liverpool has been his home for years and the reason for that is the people. “I feel like an adopted Scouser and the warmth and friendliness of the people,” he said. He added that anywhere he goes in the city he is made to feel welcome, regardless of club affiliation.

Three of Pool’s best players are out of contract in the summer - captain Virgil Van Dijk, right back Trent Alexander Arnold and forward Mo Salah making Liverpool’s future uncertain.

The former manager thinks that while Virigil Van Dijk and Mo Salah remain at the club, Liverpool will be competitive at the top of the league and even when they eventually leave, they will be replaced by players who will continue to make LFC competitive in the league.

It’s always Liverpool’s aim to get the best players that are available within the budgets but Liverpool also make players, including the likes of Van Dijk and Salah, he believes.

And who is Dalglish’s favourite Irish player? Well he has two: one Irish-born and one Liverpool-born. He actually signed both of them too! Ronnie Whelan and John Aldridge take that mantle beating competition from the likes of Steve Heighway, Mark Lawrensen, Ray Houghton and current star Caoimhín Kelleher.

Kenny Dalglish is coming to Cork for the first time ever. An Audience with Kenny Dalglish Live takes place on Friday 21 March at 5.30-10pm at Clayton Silver Springs Hotel.