Dalglish: "I'll meet Roy but he has more pressing issues"

Kenny Dalglish today said he is happy to meet with Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson – but only when the new Reds boss has the time to spare.

Hodgson has made it clear he wants the club's greatest living legend to stay on and help him drive an Anfield resurgence.

But Dalglish insists the new Anfield boss has far more pressing and important issues than himself to attend to first.

And for the sake of the club, Dalglish stresses Hodgson must be allowed time and space to get on with more important priorities.

Dalglish is known to have been deeply disappointed at not getting the chance to step into the Anfield hotseat again, following his hugely successful stint as manager between 1985 and 1991, when he won three league titles, including a domestic double, after a glittering playing career.

However the Scot, who has been working at Liverpool's Academy for more than a year as well as performing an ambassadorial role, told the Echo: "The most important thing at the moment is for Roy to get on with the job in hand - and that's to get the first team organised.

"Let him get on with that and when he's got time we can sit down and have a chat.

"But it isn't about Kenny Dalglish, Roy Hodgson, Christian Purslow or the board.

"It's about the football club and this is a very important time for the club.

"There's no way that anyone should be looking at their own self interest - everything should be simply and purely for the benefit of the club."

The fact Dalglish is happy to wait until the time is right to discuss matters indicates the 59-year-old Kop hero is not about to walk out or create issues at a critical time for Hodgson and the club as the former Fulham boss settles into the biggest job in his life.

Dalglish, who has known Hodgson for many years and has enormous respect for him, added: "Roy has more important things to do and worry about than Kenny Dalglish.

"Just park me."

It is understood Dalglish may be offered the new title of Head of Football Development as Liverpool seek to extend his role and try persuade him he has a key part to play for many years to come as part of the club's bedrock - if he wants it.

Today Hodgson insisted Liverpool will become a stronger, better football club - if he can count on the help and assistance of Dalglish.

The Reds' legend was not present at Anfield yesterday for Hodgson's unveiling as the new manager as he was out of the country on business.

It is well known, though, that he was hugely disappointed not to be considered for the role he occupied between 1985 and 1991 and some fans fear he will quit his position as Liverpool's Academy Ambassador.

Hodgson, though, is anxious for the opportunity to meet with Dalglish and discuss how they can make the situation work, as he believes the 59-year-old's presence is key to a bright future.

Hodgson said: "I spoke to him before I got the job because he was part of the interview process. I had another conversation with him before he went to Istanbul.

"We do need to sit down together and we do need to discuss how this is going to work out in practice. With goodwill on his side - there is plenty of goodwill on my side - we should find a solution.

"I can only repeat what the chairman (Martin Broughton) said. Kenny Dalglish should be at Liverpool Football Club until he decides he does not want to be a part of football. I can't have any comments on the people who were candidates.

"It was up to the board who they wanted. They did not want him to be a candidate for the job. They do want him to be a part of Liverpool Football Club today and in the future and they want him to use all of his skills.

"They don't just want him as a manager for a period, they want him to be a part of it for the long haul and influence future managers and future players. That is going to be very important for Liverpool."

If Dalglish stays on, he will also take on the title of Head of Football Development; Liverpool have been criticised for not blooding enough young players but that is one area that Hodgson is eager to rectify.

"Kenny will play a big role in that," he explained.

"If he is going to take on the role of Head of Football Development - especially with the new rules coming in - making that bridge between Kirkby and Melwood is going to be vital.

"I think he has lots of other roles to play. In his position with the football club I compare him to (Giancinto) Facchetti with whom I worked at Inter Milan or Bobby Charlton; those men have got such a standing at their clubs.

"When the club needs representing on a foreign stage who better to represent it than Kenny Dalglish? I'm hoping that between the two roles he is going to have - as Ambassador and Head of Football Development - will get great currency out of him.

"He is also someone who can give me great advice and help in my job. If Kenny wants to be a part of that, I hope he does."

Meanwhile, Hodgson will begin the process of shaping his backroom staff; it remains to be seen whether current assistant manager Sammy Lee will continue at the club but one man definitely staying is chief scout Eduardo Macia.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.