Kenny Dalglish reflects on his glory years, the tragedy of Hillsborough and the joy of still attending Anfield

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Recently, Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish appeared at a screening of his new documentary at London’s Picturehouse Central. He was joined by his daughter, Kelly Cates, who hosts Match of the Day, and was in great spirits. The event was attended by friends and fans, including former teammate Jamie Carragher and actor Damian Lewis, and showcased the film directed by award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia.

At 74, the Glaswegian humorously pointed out he was the first person director Asif Kapadia had filmed who was still alive. This was a reference to Kapadia’s acclaimed documentaries about Ayrton Senna, Amy Winehouse, and Diego Maradona – all of which told the tragic stories of these icons. Known as ‘King Kenny,’ this subject offers a different narrative, being both a relatable figure and one of the most talented footballers of his time.

Kapadia’s film tells the story of Kenny Dalglish’s life, starting with his childhood and his time playing for Celtic. In 1977, Liverpool manager Bob Paisley signed Dalglish for a then-record British transfer fee of £440,000 to fill the gap left by Kevin Keegan’s departure. As with all his films, Kapadia avoids traditional interviews, instead using authentic audio recordings and captivating footage from the archives.

Kapadia describes the recording sessions as very casual, done without a large film crew or even a camera. He mostly recorded in Liverpool, simply sitting down with Kenny Dalglish for a cup of tea and a chocolate bar. They often shared laughs, and Dalglish playfully told Kapadia he needed a haircut once. On one occasion, Kapadia couldn’t travel to Liverpool, so Dalglish surprisingly took the train himself, even dressing up for the audio interview, which Kapadia found amusing. Kapadia notes that it’s unusual for someone to come to him for an interview, as he usually has to go to them.

This perfectly illustrates how grounded Kenny Dalglish is. It’s hard to picture superstars like David Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo traveling by train without a large team around them. As the film highlights, Dalglish consistently prioritized the team’s success over his own. His time at Liverpool, starting in 1977, marked the club’s golden age, with three European Cup victories and six First Division titles during his playing career.

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Meeting Kenny Dalglish, I was struck by how warmly he spoke about looking back on his career, saying it felt good to remember everything he’d experienced. He called it ‘brilliant,’ and I could feel his genuine emotion. He quickly clarified, though, that while there were many fond memories, some recollections were deeply painful – not about the games themselves, but about the tragedies he witnessed at them. He was, of course, talking about Heysel and Hillsborough, two events that haunt football history and clearly still affect him deeply.

The first tragedy occurred in 1985 during the European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus. A wall collapsed after a clash between fans, resulting in the deaths of 39 people, primarily Juventus supporters. Shortly after, Liverpool’s manager, Joe Fagan, stepped down and Kenny Dalglish took over, becoming both player and manager – a very unusual arrangement at the time. Dalglish, who was 34 years old, reflects that if the club was willing to take a chance on him, he couldn’t refuse the opportunity.

Kenny Dalglish’s first season as Liverpool manager was incredibly successful, culminating in a League Championship and FA Cup double – a feat the club has yet to repeat. The documentary naturally includes the memorable moment when Dalglish scored the winning goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, securing the league title for Liverpool on the final day of the 1985-86 season.

Dalglish is quick to share credit with others. He explained that his success was built on the hard work of many teammates and staff, both during games and behind the scenes. He specifically mentioned Ronnie Moran, Roy Evans, and Tom Saunders as key allies who supported the team in every way. Scoring the winning goal, he felt, was a fitting way to show his gratitude to everyone involved.

Kapadia’s film concentrates on Kenny Dalglish’s time with Liverpool, largely overlooking his successful international career with Scotland, where he earned 102 caps and played in three World Cups. The 1987-88 season stands out as a peak for the club, with Dalglish rebuilding the team and bringing in key players like John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, John Aldridge, and Ray Houghton, ultimately leading them to win the league. Dalglish consistently avoids taking personal credit, stating simply, “I gave them a list of players, and they brought them in.”

Kapadia, a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter, grew up admiring Kenny Dalglish and wanted to create a film that celebrated both Dalglish and a simpler era of football, before the influence of Sky Sports and the Premier League dramatically altered the game. Initially, he wondered if he could focus solely on Dalglish’s football career, but conversations with others revealed that Dalglish was much more than just a player.

Though not a politician, Kenny Dalglish demonstrated strong leadership at Liverpool, particularly after the tragic events at Hillsborough in 1989. Ninety-seven fans lost their lives due to the overcrowding at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. Dalglish guided the club with grace and stood by the fans, attending funerals and supporting them even when unfairly blamed for the disaster.

The scene is powerfully moving, even if you’re familiar with the footage. Director Asif Kapadia recently showed the film to survivors and families of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool. He described the screening as incredibly emotional, noting that Kenny, a key figure connected to many of those present, spoke with everyone and emphasized the importance of remembering what happened. Kapadia feels including Kenny’s perspective and his commitment to ensuring the events aren’t forgotten is a crucial part of the story.

The film reveals that Liverpool FC faced a period of chaos following a difficult situation, with the club’s management, players, and coach all questioning whether to continue competing in the FA Cup. Ultimately, they decided to press on, defeating Forest in a rescheduled semi-final and earning a spot in the final against their local rivals, Everton. This mirrored the 1986 FA Cup final – a match Liverpool won as part of a League and Cup double.

Their 3-2 victory was particularly special for Dalglish, who considers it the most important achievement during his time with the club. He noted that while Everton supporters may have felt unfairly targeted, there was overwhelming support for his team. However, this also created significant pressure on the players. Despite the emotional high of the win, the events at Hillsborough deeply affected Dalglish, leading to his resignation in 1991.

He feels lucky he was able to make the difficult choice he faced. He acknowledges many people don’t have that opportunity, reaching a point where a decision is no longer possible. While he wasn’t pleased with having to make it, he knew it was necessary, and he found some relief in being able to act. However, he was also saddened that things had progressed to such a critical stage.

Although the film ends when Kenny Dalglish leaves Liverpool, his career didn’t. He went on to manage Blackburn, famously leading them to a Premier League title in 1995 – a feat no other manager has achieved. Years later, he returned to Liverpool in 2011, taking over after Roy Hodgson was fired during a difficult time for the club. Dalglish quickly brought success back to Anfield, winning the League Cup in 2012 – their first trophy in five years – and guiding the team to the FA Cup Final that same year.

These days, Kenny Dalglish is still a regular at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium. He says, “You always need to enjoy life,” and explains that going to Anfield is always a pleasure, never a burden. When asked if he’d ever consider managing the club again, he jokes that it would mean the current manager isn’t doing well. True to form, Dalglish emphasizes that he’s always been a team player.

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2025-11-05 13:36