• Premier League

Dalglish can help Liverpool rule again - Henry

Kenny Dalglish returned to Anfield for Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace © Getty Images

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Kenny Dalglish's boardroom appointment can help Liverpool return to the summit of English football, according to principal owner John W Henry.

Dalglish returned to Anfield as a non-executive director last Friday, 17 months after his second spell as manager ended with him getting the sack.

The former Liverpool boss accepted the invitation from the club's American owners Fenway Sports Group following discussions with Henry, chairman Tom Werner, manager Brendan Rodgers and managing director Ian Ayre.

And Henry believes that Dalglish's experience as a player and manager during the most successful period in the club's history will be invaluable.

Dalglish won eight league titles, two FA Cups and three European Cups as a player and manager during his first stint at Liverpool, between 1977 and 1991.

After replacing Roy Hodgson as manager, he won the League Cup in 2012, as well as guiding the club to that year's FA Cup final.

Henry told Liverpool's website: "I am delighted to welcome Kenny Dalglish back to Anfield.

"Kenny is a towering figure in the history of Liverpool Football Club. Along with Bill Shankly, he embodies what the club stands for."

Off the field, Dalglish has supported tirelessly the families of the Hillsborouh disaster victims in their campaign for justice.

Dalglish, who was manager at the time of the 1989 disaster, in which 96 Liverpool fans died, attended the funerals of many of the victims and offered personal support to many of their families.

Henry added: "As a player and a manager, Kenny established his position as a football great. But that is only half the story. His compassion and leadership in the immediate aftermath of Hillsborough brought great solace to the families of the 96.

"His support of the campaign for justice since 1989 has been unfailing and inspirational and has given him a status that goes far beyond that of a mere sporting figure.

"However, the return of Kenny Dalglish is not about the past. We are building for the future. From the dressing room to the boardroom, we are creating a structure that will take Liverpool back to the top.

"It is not an easy task. Kenny brings the sort of intelligence, experience and knowledge that will help us reach our goals.

"Tom, Ian, Brendan and I along with every single Liverpool supporter, staff member and player want to welcome back Kenny with the same warmth and depth of feeling that he has shown for his club over these decades."

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