MARTIN SKRTEL says sheer force of personality has been the secret behind Kenny Dalglish’s success since his return as Liverpool manager.

Results and performances picked up drastically at Anfield following the Scot’s appointment as Roy Hodgson’s successor back in January, with Liverpool taking 33 points from their final 17 league games and propelling themselves to the brink of a European qualification spot.

Dalglish was rewarded last month with a permanent three-year contract, and though his side were ultimately pipped to 5th place by Tottenham, thus missing out on European football for the first time in more than a decade, optimism is high on the red half of Merseyside.

And Skrtel, who played in every single minute of the club’s Premier League campaign, says key to Dalglish’s success has been his ability to forge a strong team spirit within the squad.

“Appointing him was definitely the best option,” said Skrtel.

“I’m happy because he is a nice person and a great manager. I can see the future under him being very good.

“To be very honest I didn’t know an awful lot about Kenny before arriving at the club. I was very young when he was the manager the first time. But in the four years I’ve been at the club I have seen him here and have learned about the history of the club and the part he’s played in it. Now I know a lot more about him.

“He has told us the most important thing is a good team spirit and if we play together we can get some success. He has kept our confidence high and that has been the most important thing.

“He’s done it through his personality. He’s a nice guy and he’s always joking and smiling. He has changed the atmosphere around the team.”