Dalglish the birthday presence at Anfield

THE KOP has always been good at coming up with amusing little ditties.

And the one they belted out 10 minutes from the end of a quite staggering victory over Manchester United was first-rate, acknowledging the 60th birthday of an icon, the man they trust to get them back on the perch Alex Ferguson has so brutally knocked them off over the past 20 years.

On the face of it, there is so much that bonds Dalglish and Ferguson together. Both were Rangers fans as kids. Both emerged from working class backgrounds on the tough streets of Glasgow to reach the very top of their profession; Dalglish one of the greatest players, Ferguson peerless as a manager.

But 35 miles separates them. In the old days it was the East Lancs Road, now it’s the M62, but in footballing terms, it is another world.

Dalglish left Anfield in 1991, his heart aching at the loss of life at Hillsborough, his strength sapped, his hunger diminished. Liverpool were champions and remained the dominant force of English football.

In the intervening two decades, the Reds have collected one European Cup, three FA Cups, three League Cups and a UEFA Cup. United’s record in those competitions is similar; two European Cups, four FA Cups, four League Cups, European Cup Winners’ Cup. The difference is in league titles. Liverpool 0 Manchester United 11.

It cuts like a knife through the heart of every Liverpool fan. Dalglish feels their pain. In January, Dalglish stood in the dug-out at Old Trafford and watched Liverpool labour to an FA Cup defeat that included a red card for Steven Gerrard.

Yesterday on territory more familiar and welcoming, Dalglish adopted the same pose. Arms folded, collar raised against the chill. This time, though, there was that smile defenders used to hate. Those arms raised in triumph. The acknowledgement of glory.

Dalglish has never been afraid of Ferguson. Nine years his junior, Dalglish achieved too much as a player to be intimidated by anyone. He has always seemed to know how to land a telling blow.

As the hosts tore into their opponents, mostly fairly, though sometimes, in Jamie Carragher’s case, not, it was easy to believe Liverpool were in another era and it was they, not United, who were top of the table.

But Liverpool are not top. Even after this sensational result, they are 18 points behind the leaders. If the FA Cup is won, or at least contested, by an outsider, they might not even qualify for Europe next season.

However, in appointing Dalglish as manager to replace Roy Hodgson, Liverpool’s owners were making a statement of intent.

Two months later, King Kenny has made one of his own.