As far as iconic managers go, they don't come much bigger than Bob Paisley. Perhaps only Bill Shankly can rank above him when it comes to the most important figures in the history of Liverpool Football Club.
Paisley delivered six First Division titles and also lifted the European Cup three times, having also won the league during his playing days at Anfield. His managerial spell between 1974 and 1983 was an undoubted golden period for the club.
As such, he got to play with and coach many brilliant players. However, Paisley felt there was one Liverpool man who just stood out above the rest.
Paisley Was Blown Away By Kenny Dalglish
"What a player, what a great professional!”
For most, Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish will spring to mind as the two best players from that era under Paisley. The English manager signed one to replace the other in 1977, and it was a pretty wise move in the end.
Indeed, Paisley was insistent that Dalglish was the 'most talented' player he ever worked with, once saying (via LFC History):
“Of all the players I have played alongside, managed and coached in more than 40 years at Anfield, he is the most talented.”
Keegan had delivered three league titles, an FA Cup, two UEFA Cups, and a European Cup between 1972 and 1977 before departing for Hamburg. Naturally, the club and their fans were concerned about how they'd go on without their star man. But they stumped up an English record fee of £440,000 for Dalglish, which was £60,000 less than how much they got for Keegan.
Having sealed the deal, Paisley said to Peter Robinson: “We’d better get out of Glasgow before they realise what they’ve done.”
Paisley would also later reflect: “I just hoped that after the trials and tribulations of my early years in management, someone up high would smile on me and guide my hand. My plea was answered when we got Kenny Dalglish. What a player, what a great professional!”
Image of Bill Shankly with silhouette of Dixie Dean and England flag background Related
Bill Shankly Dubbed English Legend the 'Greatest Centre Forward There Will Ever Be'
The Liverpool icon claimed: ’He belongs in the company of the supremely great like Beethoven, Shakespeare and Rembrandt."
Dalglish Thrived In Place of Keegan
For many, he is Liverpool's greatest ever player
Dalglish was handed Keegan’s number seven shirt, making for the inescapable comparisons. But the pressure didn't seem to bother the Scotland international, as he smashed 30 goals in his debut season, including the winner in the 1978 European Cup Final at Wembley.
While Keegan is still held in great regard, Dalglish surpassed his legacy and, for many, stands alone as the greatest player in the club's history. Now known as 'King Kenny', he won six English league championships, the FA Cup, four League Cups, five FA Charity Shields, three European Cups and one European Super Cup with the Reds.
The likes of Steven Gerrard and Mohamed Salah have achieved great things in the modern era, but even they probably can't quite touch the legacy left by 'King Kenny'.