Liverpool FC at Wembley: Kenny Dalglish looking forward to returning to happy hunting ground

Kenny Dalglish in action against Man Utd at Wembley
Kenny Dalglish in action against Man Utd at Wembley

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AN entire generation of Liverpool supporters will be leafing through their A-Zs and programming their SatNavs in preparation for a first-ever trip to Wembley on Sunday.

Kenny Dalglish, though, won’t need any such directions.

It was with good reason that the national stadium became known as Anfield South during Liverpool’s glory days of the 1970s and 80s.

Dalglish became well accustomed to the venue, having either played or managed there 21 times during his previous 14-year spell at the club.

And, with Wembley having been a home from home, the Anfield manager has spent much of the week defending Liverpool’s absence there since their FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United in 1996.

“People say it is 16 years since we were there but it was getting reconstructed for a long time, so it isn’t too bad,” says Dalglish.

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“We did play at the Millennium a few times – successfully as well, but going back to Wembley for everyone is a fantastic reward for the supporters and the commitment the players have put in this year.”

Wembley has played an integral part in Dalglish’s Anfield career. It was under the old Twin Towers that he made his debut in a Charity Shield match against Manchester United in 1977, and where he truly cemented his legend by scoring the winner against Bruges in the European Cup final later that season.

As manager, he also played in the 1986 double-clinching triumph against Everton and then led Liverpool out for the emotional post-Hillsborough Merseyside derby Cup final three years later.

And, ahead of the weekend Carling Cup final against npower Championship side Cardiff City, Dalglish admits, even fully reconstructed, there remains a unique attraction to the stadium.

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