On the day I celebrated my 35th birthday Liverpool lost 3-1 to Bolton. Besides a surprised birthday gift from my wife and spending the weekend with my family it could have been sweeter if they had won.
Kenny came out in public criticizing his players on the way they had brought themselves towards the game. They were expected to win with ease as Bolton are actually struggling in the league. It could have been perfect too as they lost their key defender Gary Cahill after he moved to Chelsea prior to the game.
After so many heart-aches, well we did win the Champions League and FA Cup under Benitez, but we never really could match the likes of United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the domestic front, came in the new owner in John W Henry and he brought back Liverpool legend, Kenny Dalglish.
Kenny, being in a 'been there done that' bracket knew exactly what he's getting into. At that time, he was the best candidate for Liverpool FC a club that was like a sinking ship. And he is still the best! Well talking about pressure and expectations, Kenny also knew the challenges that will come from the moment he said 'Yes' to John W Henry.
Liverpool fans were desperate as they can't stand to see arch-rival Manchester United winning so many titles including toppling Liverpool as the club that won the most English league titles. So Kenny was under the microscope since day-1.
Slowly and steadily Kenny started to work on Liverpool FC. He recruited new coaching staff, he brought in new players and on almost everything that he does or he said will be closely evaluated. Some say that Kenny might not have it in him, to be a top manager for a top club in a top league. Just because he has not been managing any club for so long does not mean his is out of the footballing world. Benitez brought Kenny back to the club as an ambassador and also to work with the academy. So he does keep in touch in a footballing sense.
Kenny actually came back wiser and full of experience under his belt. He would not have brought in Steve Clarke and Kevin Keene as the first team coaches. He knew he needed the right people to assist him and he pursued the best. Both coaches that came in are still young and they came in with good credentials too.
As for scouting and bringing in new blood into the team he had Damien Comolli to assist. Things might have change a bit as there was no "Director of Football" during his first stint as manager (I hope I'm not wrong on this), but Kenny's willingness to adap himself to the new ways in 'management world' shows a lot about his maturity in the job that he left 20 years ago.
Nearly 13 months now, or has it been 13 months, Kenny had just managed to steer Liverpool FC to a Cup Final. This is surely not the first one for him and I'm sure it will not be the last. The fans are already singing and praising the team for their win last night and everyone is already talking about Wembley and another Cup Final.
I'm absolutely positive that at the end of the season there's so many things that we as a fan can cheer about. Next will be Man Utd in a FA Cup tie. Liverpool lost to United in Kenny's first game in-charge but I'm sure Kenny and the team will do better this Saturday. Man Utd, bring 'em on!
YNWA
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