The Big Debate - Is Dalglish the right man for Liverpool?

Today on The Kop Times, we begin a new feature here where we discuss the burning issues, and questions relating to all things Liverpool. This week, we're begin with a question that may appear to be a no-brainer to some, but perfectly fair to others. Is Kenny Dalglish the right man to take Liverpol Forward?

So, let's get the show on the road. Firstly, in favour of Kenny Dalglish:

Since Kenny Dalglish started his second spell as Manager at Liverpool the transformation in the club, the players and the fans has been remarkable.

Under the reign of Rafa Benitez, the club had gone stale. Transfers such as Alberto Aquilani for £20mln and the apparent lack of harmony among the players left the regime desperate for change.

The introduction of Roy Hodgson seemed only to make things worse. The style of play was poor and lacked invention. His transfers, such as Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen, were woefully inadequate for a team with Liverpool’s ambitions. This was a clear hint that unless a change of direction was made, the club was heading for permanent mid-table mediocrity.

Step forward Kenny Dalglish. The first Match was against Manchester United and despite a 1-0 defeat the change in the mood and attitude of the players was clear for all to see. Kenny Dalglish took no time to identify and secure Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll in an effort to inject some invention into a stagnating outfit. During the first weeks in charge, Dalglish was at pains to bring the club together. Team, staff, board and fans, all moving in one direction. The single most important achievement for Dalglish since his return has been to instill a sense of togetherness in the club. Missing arguably, since Roy Evans’ departure.

Dalglish has, with the help of assistant Steve Clark, gained the respect of the players. They are willing to break down walls for the man. This was not the case under Hodgson, and toward the end of the Benitez era. This respect has been cultivated by a string of tactical triumphs. Notably the 0-1 win away to Chelsea in February, the 3-1 trouncing of Manchester United and the emphatic 3-0 triumph at home to Manchester City in April. These are all results that show the players, fans and the cubs new owners alike Dalglish’s tactical ability. In so doing gaining the trust of the dressing room.

Further evidence of Dalglish’s credentials is the way in which he has also tapped into the clubs pool of youngsters that lay unnoticed under Benitez and Hodgson. Players like Martin Kelly, Jack Robinson and John Flanagan have all come to show maturity beyond their years and that the manager is not afraid to put his faith in youth.  It was well documented that Dalglish makes regular visits to watch the youth games in order to demonstrate to them that he has an interest in their development and like the three lads mentioned here, will get their chance in time.

During the close season, Dalglish secured the services of Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jose Enrique. Arguably all of these signings have become integral members of the current squad. Perhaps with the exception of Carroll who is still struggling for form, the others have performed well. Jordan Henderson has improved recently, and this looks as if it will continue. Adam is now a permanent fixture in the midfield alongside Lucas Leiva, and Jose Enrique is proving to be a bargain following his superb and consistent displays since signing. Not to mention young Sebastian Coates who, although has not had much playing time has shown glimpses of his quality when called upon.

Dalglish has also shown that he is not afraid of leaving out those who’s performances have been below par. Most notably Jamie Carragher, who at 33 is now beginning to show his age. Whilst Dalglish is a keen supporter of Carragher, he has kept faith in the current central defensive pairing of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel who are proving to be nothing but solid and capable of forging the kind of partnership not seen since Sammi Hyppia and Stephane Henchoz.

In summary, Dalglish is the right man for the job, and this is showing in the team’s performances. Resilient, organized and more consistent than has been the case for some time now. I would challenge anyone to provide a decent argument to the contrary.

Now let's look at the arguement In Opposition:

First and foremost, I’m not going to argue that Dalglish has not been an improvement over Hodgson – he has, emphatically. However, I think by the end my little brother who doesn’t even like football would have been an improvement over Hodgson, that doesn’t mean he can take Liverpool back to the top of the game. Second, I bow to no-one in my recognition of King Kenny as arguably the greatest player to have ever pulled on a Liverpool shirt, and what he has done for the club over the last 35 years or so has been remarkable. However, again, past credentials and history do not mean Dalglish is the right man for the future. My argument that he is not rests on a couple of key points, which don’t include his often spiky and annoying TV interviews.

First of all, Kenny has a great track record, but that was 20 years ago. He has won championships in the past, but I have my doubts over whether he has the nous to do it again. Even his last championship in 1995 was in a very different setting to the way the game is played now, and while it is refreshing that Dalglish is in many ways a throwback in the same mould as Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp, I wonder that he has been out of the game for just a little too long, and may have lost a metaphorical yard of pace in the managerial game which could prove telling come “squeaky bum time”. This is more of a gut feeling however, and there are far more pertinent reasons to doubt Dalglish’s ability to lead Liverpool back to glory.

Most importantly for me, are the signings he has made. Suarez and Enrique aside, I have serious doubts about the player’s Dalglish has brought in, and the money he has spent doing it. We don’t know much about Coates as of yet, but Henderson has offered precious little despite being played almost every week; Downing is a winger who doesn’t take on defenders and whose decision making is dubious; Adam, whilst promising, is slow and slow players are not what the Doctor ordered in modern day football – Manchester s City and United’s as well as Tottenham’s midfields are full of pace, ours is not. Finally, I don’t care what the deal was with Newcastle regarding Torres, but paying 35 Million for Andy Carroll is absurd, from what we’ve seen so far, he’s barely worth a tenth of that. A manager who brings in players like the ones above, and spends an inordinate amount of money doing so, is not a manager with the ability to turn a top six team into championship challengers or winners.

I also have doubts about Dalglish’s tactical nous. Buying Henderson is one thing, playing him on the right side of midfield ahead of Dirk Kuyt is something else entirely. Henderson is a central midfielder, he has none of the attributes which make a high quality wide midfielder, and if Dalglish does not recognise this then it’s worrying. Similarly he seems to fail to realise until far too late when the game needs shaking up by a new face or new tactics. In home matches against Swansea and Norwich, both disappointing draws, he waited until the very last moments to make potentially game changing substitutions such as bringing on Andy Carroll. I may not be a fan of Carroll, but if you’re going to bring him on at least give the lad 20 minutes or more. Speaking to older Liverpool fans, one thing that has consistently come up is that when Dalglish was manager in the 80s, he would chop and change a winning team constantly. Yes it may have paid dividends in Liverpool’s bygone glory days, but a repeat of the same now is unlikely to be so successful.

Finally, there is the question of Kenny Dalglish’s legacy. I mentioned at the start that he is renowned as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Liverpool player of all time, and saw phenomenal success both as a player and manager. And now, like a boxer tempted back to the ring for one last fight, I worry that this new challenge may prove too much for him. No-one wants to see such a legend presiding over a team which ultimately fails to achieve success, and I fear that this may be the sad outcome if King Kenny continues. Ultimately, there are many reasons why Dalglish is not the right man to lead Liverpool back to glory – as for who is, that’s a question for another time.

Ben Green & Matthew McNally @Koptimes

Comments

[Dale Marlow]

What a complete load of tosh. The Big Debate really should be whether your fit to be let loose on the internet.

Ther clubs transfer dealings during the summer were nothing short of remarkable. I drew up a list of positions I thought we needed to cover and with the exception of an experienced Centre Back KK and Comolli managed to get all positions covered, a new Left Back, a Left/Right Winger, a passing Centre Midfield, and no shortage of youth injected into the squad, perhaps the greatest achioevement has been to rid the place of the cancerous elements and bring together a group who are all pullng together, it must scare the pants of Man U supporters like you guys.

YNWA.

[Bw]

Kenny is the only man for the job , end of !!!

[sunny]

with denying maxi evan after scoring, i think KD is trying to prove his spendings worthy. but the fact is they are not up to task and KD is letting objective of LFC go in vain....

[steve mcauley]

I think I will reserve judgement 'til the end of the season with the hope that kenny WILL turn out to the right man, but like I said, it's my HOPE! Yes I do have some doubts and admittedly when guus hiddink became a free agent my imagination ran a little wild and even the speculation surrounding AVB caused my ears to prick a little as I believe this young man has a VERY bright future! however I keep returning to the desire to see king kenny triumph, so i'll stick by him!

[tommy]

well said. kk is the only man who could unite the club the way he did. the football is much better on the eye now and bar some bad luck we would be higher in the league. the team is playing well and the luck will change , things are looking up so i cant understand this negativity.

[B.b]

Liverpool haven't played exciting attackin football like this for years ,I personally think downing has done well for us he hardly EVA loses the ball him and enrique play well togeva adam is class , hendo is improving all the time even though he is playin out of position , bellamy a top signing for free , n caroll is the only flop but he will come good in time and we have the deph to have patience with him, the games we have drawn at home are because the keepers have had blinders , we have out played all the top teams ,apart from spurs, everone at the club is happy and motivated includin the fans , so yeh kenny is the man for the job , thanks for asking mate !!!! Lol

[luis]

The problem with Carroll is that he lacks positional experience, but that won't be a problem in 2 years time. He's first touch is bad, but that too can be taken care of!! He's quick for a big fella. The problem with you guys is that you must get 1 thing clear.. Suarez will not grow bigger with time. But with Carroll we have someone with frightening physical potential. Imagine him in 2-3 years time with experience and time spent in gym. He could be an Ibrahimovic or better!! Get behind him and we might get a bargain.

[kimbo]

I´m satisfied, we have already played alot of the topsides away(or home), and have shown we outplay even City, chelsea and united. Still the usual problem with drawing with the weaker side is there, seems like a tradition unfortunately, but lets hope the ball will go post-in instead of post-out in the future.

[redz]

bull, of course kk is the right man,

[dixie222]

As a liverpool fan I got to about the 5th line and then just scrolled down to write this. KK is the right man for the job, he has done wonders and we are moving forward. first line was too suggestive for liverpool fans. If the title said what is your opinion of KK then you may have had some reads, but putting it straight out their and asking is he the right man will just get you liverpool fans scrolling down and saying yes, this is a rediculous heading! Oh yes you may get the odd manure fan saying no, but still this article is rubbish! Why have i written so much!

[english bull]

Idiot

[Calum]

Some good points, i fear that if it turns out that he isn't the man for the job because he is such a legend in the club who is going to be the one to say to him actually kenny thanks but we don't want you any more. But i disagree with the transfers and the money spent, i don't think Kenny would have had a great deal of influence in the payments for the players and i know that Comolli is involved in quite a lot of the transfer dealings. I would love to show Liverpool really show a bit more ambition in the transfer window and get someone like Adam Johnson who might favour playing regularly for Liverpool than every now and then for City. In Kenny we trust.