Kenny Dalglish’s 150th League victory and six of his best Liverpool wins
Kenny Dalglish recorded his 150th league win in just 249 matches as Liverpool manager when they beat Everton 2-0 in the Merseyside derby last weekend.
With the Glaswegian's impressive record, talkSPORT decided to pick six of his best league wins in the Liverpool hotseat.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 Arsenal, AUGUST 1985
Dalglish had taken over as player-manager shortly after the Heysel Stadium disaster, which had resulted in a ban on English clubs taking part in European competition while Liverpool had also lost out on the title to rivals Everton. However, any doubts over his appointment and ability to take the reigns at Anfield were laid to rest after his first game in charge following a 2-0 win. The comfortable victory came courtesy of goals from Ronnie Whelan and Steve Nicol and put the club on course to reclaim the old First Division crown.
LIVERPOOL 4-0 MAN UNITED, SEPTEMBER 1990
There's no love lost between these two clubs and this thumping victory came amidst an eight-game winning streak for Dalglish's side. Liverpool, the defending league champions, got off to a super start when Peter Beardsley grabbed an early goal, capitalising on a Steve Bruce mistake. Liverpool were rampant and United struggled to keep pace with John Barnes and Beardsley, who both netted to make it 3-0. Despite Man United coming back strong in the second half, Sir Alex Ferguson's side were unable to prevent Beardsley from completing his hat-trick as his clever chip left the Anfield faithful singing.
CHELSEA 0-1 LIVERPOOL, FEBRUARY 2011
All eyes were on Fernando Torres as the Spain striker made his debut against his former club following a £50m move to Chelsea in the January transfer window. However, much to the relief of all Liverpool fans, Torres failed to get anywhere near scoring and the reigning Premier League champions crashed to a 1-0 defeat in front of their own fans. Current Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles scored the decisive goal while Torres was hauled off just after the hour mark.
LIVERPOOL 3-1 MAN UNITED, MARCH 2011
Dalglish's side managed to keep the title race wide open towards the end of last season thanks to Dirk Kuyt's hat-trick. The Dutchman's treble was the first by a Liverpool player against United since Peter Beardsley's in the 4-0 thrashing in 1990 and meant United remained just three points in front of Arsenal, who had played a game less. The win also confirmed the Scot's position as permanent manager.
EVERTON 2-3 LIVERPOOL, AUGUST 1985
Having taken over the reigns from Joe Fagan, Dalglish took his team to Goodison Park for his first Merseyside derby as player-manager. He made an instant impact with a brilliant long-range effort, before new signing Steve McMahon fired in his first ever Liverpool goal two weeks after signing from Villa. Ian Rush made it 3-0 before the break, though goals from Everton strikers Gary Lineker and Graeme Sharpe ensured it was a tense finish, Dalglish and Liverpool still came out victorious.
CHELSEA 0-1 LIVERPOOL, MAY 1986
The Reds, without a league win at Stamford Bridge for 12 years, travelled to London for the final match of the 1985/86 season knowing three points would secure the title. Dalglish was in his first season as player-manager and it was his wonderful right-footed volley that meant Liverpool wrapped up the First Division championship and reclaimed their crown from rivals Everton, who finished two adrift in second.
What is your favourite win under Kenny Dalglish?