Grobbelaar: Reds should pick Dalglish

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has been backed to succeed Rafael Benitez as manager by former Reds goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.

Dalglish was yesterday tasked with finding a successor to Benitez, who left by mutual consent, alongside managing director Christian Purslow.

But the Scot – the last Liverpool manager to deliver a league title to Anfield in 1990 – is among the bookmakers’ favourites for the job.

And Grobbelaar believes Dalglish could be the stabilising influence Liverpool now require.

“I think there is only one man for the job and that is Kenny Dalglish,” Grobbelaar told BBC Radio Five Live.

“I believe if he didn’t have the appetite for the game, he wouldn’t be at Anfield every week, week-in, week-out.

“I think maybe now is the time he can turn the tide and take the club, stabilise it, with the fans, make sure everything gets on track and take the club where it should be.

“We were in seventh position last season, this season he’s got to stabilise it and put it back on track.”

Dalglish was installed as player-boss in 1985 and delivered three league titles and two FA Cup triumphs.

He also presided over a difficult period surrounding the Hillsborough disaster, the emotional toll of which contributed to his departure in 1991.

Grobbelaar believes Dalglish has the kudos required to take the role once more.

“As a manager he’ll be respected and if fresh players come in, he’ll be able to lead them,” added Grobbelaar.

Alan Hansen has warned the new Liverpool manager faces years of rebuilding following Rafael Benitez’s departure.

But Hansen, who won eight league titles and three European Cups during his 13 years on Merseyside, believes the Reds are arguably in their worst state for over 50 years and the squad is weaker than when Benitez succeeded Gerard Houllier as boss six years ago.

Writing in his column in the Daily Telegraph, Hansen said: “I would imagine that the board will have a good idea who they want to bring in, but I don’t have a preference, other than wanting somebody who will buy well and who will take the job under no illusions about the challenge he faces.

“Whoever comes in faces a mammoth task. You could be looking at three to four years before Liverpool get to where the club should be.”

Benitez’s most costly moves were in the transfer market, according to Hansen.

The Scot added: “Benitez made too many mistakes with too many players. In recent seasons, he hasn’t got any right beyond Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and, possibly, Glen Johnson.

“He has spent too much money on average players and we are now seeing the fruits of that.”