Dalglish is open to offers from Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish said yesterday that he had not been approached by Liverpool's board about returning to the club in any management capacity but made it clear he was open to offers.

The Scot's name has been linked in recent days to a return to Anfield, where he played and managed with distinction before walking away in 1991, following uncertainty over the future of Gérard Houllier.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Dalglish is wary of saying anything that might be construed as disrespectful to Houllier. "I have not spoken to anybody about any position at Liverpool Football Club," he said. "But if the club think I can help they just need to ask."

Dalglish joined Liverpool from Celtic in 1977 as the replacement for Kevin Keegan. He took over as player-manager in 1985, guided Liverpool to the Double in 1986, and won two more league titles before going on to manage Blackburn and Newcastle.

Houllier's position has been thrown into doubt after the club's chairman, David Moores, failed to give his manager assurances about his role. The 56-year-old Frenchman reacted by saying: "I am carrying on my work as normal and have been holding meetings with staff preparing for next season. I have been discussing contracts and other matters, as well as when the players will report back."

Liverpool declined to make any comment, leading to fresh calls from fans for greater transparency. "We'd like to see some announcement," Les Lawson, of the supporters' club, said.

Supporters have already been angered about lack of information from the club about bids from Thailand's Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, and from the property magnate, Steve Morgan. Thaksin's proposed 30 per cent buyout has been stymied by arguments over board representation. Morgan's offer of £73m in funds has been rejected.