No quick fix, warns ex-Reds trio

Replacing Roy Hodgson with Kenny Dalglish would not solve Liverpool’s deep-rooted problems, a trio of Anfield icons have warned.

Kevin Keegan, John Barnes and Steve McManaman insist Hodgson is not to blame for the club’s alarming slide, which could see the Reds boss axed just six months after taking charge.

That was looking increasingly likely this morning, amid reports owners NESV had discussed whether to end the 63-year-old’s reign.

Such an outcome would please some supporters, who have long campaigned for the return of club legend Dalglish – a former player and manager and current academy ambassador.

But all the suggestions from NESV so far make that return to the past seem unlikely, as it has been hinted they would prefer a younger, more progressive man in charge.

Barnes, who played under Dalglish in the last Liverpool side to be crowned English champions, does not believe the Scot – or anybody – can wave a magic wand to transform the club’s dwindling fortunes.

“Kenny isn’t going to come and win the league because they still need a massive investment to improve the squad,” the former England midfielder told Press Association Sport at an event to promote ESPN’s live coverage of this weekend’s FA Cup third-round games and the ESPNsoccernet ’Cup of Dreams’ fan poll.

“If that happens, I’m sure Kenny would do a great job.”

McManaman added: “I don’t think anybody wants changes of managers now because it just upsets everything.

“That’s more speculation, and it’s in the middle of a very busy transfer window, which is difficult.”

Barnes described Dalglish as the best manager he played under at Anfield.

“Kenny was the best but, fortunately for him, he also managed the best team,” he said.

“When he left, the team disintegrated and we didn’t actually win the league.

“But I had my most successful period under Kenny.”

Dalglish brought the young McManaman to Liverpool.

“He was a fantastic manager,” said the latter, speaking ahead of the Reds’ FA Cup third-round tie at Manchester United on Sunday.

“But that was 1989-1990 – that was a long, long time ago, and he’s done many, many other things since then.”

Dalglish’s presence has loomed large over Hodgson since the latter’s appointment but Barnes does not believe that is an excuse for the current malaise.

“If you look at Liverpool in the last 19 years, whichever manager has been there has been under the pressure of the legacy of Liverpool, of the success that they’ve had,” he said.

“I’m sure that when Sir Alex Ferguson leaves Manchester United, their new manager will have that pressure.”

Keegan, whose goals helped Bill Shankly transform Liverpool into the most successful team in English football during the 1970s, said: “The whole club over the last few years has been in decline.

“If you add to that the fact they’ve still got to find some £300m to build a new stadium, they’re falling behind.

“At the moment, Liverpool have not got enough really good players in their squad.

“They’ve made some signings that haven’t quite come off and the young players have not stepped up to the plate.

“But to lay all the blame at Roy Hodgson’s door is totally unfair.

“He’s been in charge 20 games and he inherited a lot of these problems.

“So he must be given time.

“Whether he will be or not... this is football.”