King Kenny Says Klopp Is “Perfect Fit For Liverpool”

Kenny Dalglish, the Anfield legend with two managerial stints and six league titles from his playing days as a Red, spoke to the Echo ahead of the Merseyside Derby on Monday. King Kenny talked about what the Derby means to him and the fans and recounted some beloved memories of his time wearing the old “Candy” shirt.

During the interview, King Kenny was asked what he thinks about current boss Jürgen Klopp. Dalglish could barely contain himself.

“It’s the perfect fit for Liverpool. I said that when he first came in, and nothing I have seen since has changed my mind on that. He’s fantastic for the club and the club are fantastic for him. The way the club is at the moment, the feeling and the mood about it, that’s mainly down to him. You look at the atmosphere around the football club, it’s fantastic. From the owners to the manager to the players to the fans, everybody is singing from the same hymn sheet and you can see the difference it is making. Everyone is pulling together, everyone knows their role and what they are aiming for, and some of the football the team has produced has been fantastic. It’s been a pleasure to watch.”

However, when asked how Klopp’s team stacks up against his, Dalglish was a bit wary.

“You have to remember, we’re a fair age now, so comparing teams across 30 years is not easy! I know that people like a bit of pub chat – ‘who’s better than who?’ and all that – but the main thing for this team is that they’re better than the opposition, and they have been for the most part this season. If they are again on Monday, it’ll be a happy Christmas in the Dalglish household, and further evidence that Klopp’s side are in the hunt for big things in the New Year, surely? The most important thing is the team,” Dalglish says, a line as well-trodden as the Goodison turf. “But with a derby match there’s always that little edge. The games now are a lot better now than when I first came down. You could have burst the ball in those days, because nobody saw it anyway! Nowadays it’s more of a football match, more enjoyable! But these games are about the fans. For their sake, it’s about giving our fans the freedom of the city to go and enjoy themselves after the game!”

Still, it’s high praise indeed from the King!