Kenny Dalglish has Anfield Centenary Stand renamed after him as Liverpool honour club legend

The former Liverpool player and manager has been honoured for his 'immeasurable' contribution to the club and the role he played during the Hillsborough disaster

Anfield will boast the Kenny Daglish Stand to honour their former player and manager (Getty)

Liverpool have announced Anfield’s Centenary Stand is to be renamed after Kenny Dalglish in recognition of the 66-year-old’s “unique” contribution to the club.

Fenway Sports Group made the decision in line with Liverpool’s 125th anniversary celebrations, which start later this month with a friendly match in Sydney.

The inauguration of the Kenny Dalglish Stand will take place at a date later this year.

A statement on the club’s website described Dalglish’s values as the “embodiment of the Liverpool Way.”

“Off the field, his contribution is simply immeasurable to the club and the city of Liverpool because of the leadership role he played in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster and the support he and his family have provided over the years to the relatives of those who lost their lives,” the statement read. “Furthermore, he and his wife Marina set up the ‘Marina Dalglish Appeal’ back in 2005 in Liverpool – a charity which aims to help those who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families on Merseyside.”

Dalglish’s association with Liverpool stretches across four decades. He initially moved to Merseyside from Celtic in 1977 as a replacement for Kevin Keegan, proceeding to make 515 appearances and scoring 172 goals. In total, he lifted eight league championships, three European Cups, two FA Cups, five League Cups and one Uefa Super Cup. After two spells as manager, the last of which ended in 2012 after being sacked by FSG, he returned to Anfield as a non-executive director.

Speaking on behalf of Fenway Sports Group, principal owner John W Henry said: “It is testament to Liverpool’s history and status that we are not lacking in truly great individuals, whose names could easily grace a stand at Anfield.

“But in Kenny Dalglish we have a person who carries such immense significance to the fabric of this club, so it feels somewhat incumbent on us to recognise this in a manner that is befitting to the man.

“He is unique, not just to Liverpool, but to the game in England as a whole, having achieved greatness as a player and then enjoyed such success as a manager. His record and trophies won on both fronts speak for themselves.

“However, Kenny’s contribution to Liverpool goes beyond goals scored, points amassed and silverware placed in the cabinet. His values are Liverpool’s values – he represents what is best about this football club.

“The leadership and solace he gave to individuals, the club and city as it tried to come to terms with the trauma and tragedy of Hillsborough transcended sporting achievement.

The Centenary Stand at Anfield will be renamed the Kenny Dalglish Stand (Getty)

“His name is synonymous with our club, with our home and the city of Liverpool. Now it will be as visible as it is palpable.”

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner added: “We recognise this won’t sit comfortably with Kenny’s default position of humility and self-deprecation. But as we approach the club’s 125th anniversary year, now is the right time in the club’s illustrious history to leave this legacy. He and his family should know the privilege and honour is all ours – his name means so much to so many and its prominence at Anfield will enrich an already prestigious sporting cathedral.

Kenny Dalglish will be honoured by Liverpool by having the Centenary Stand named after him (Getty)

“For decades he has served the club and the city, with the steadfast attitude that the collective always comes ahead of the individual. This announcement isn’t about singling him out – it’s about recognising that his name embodies values we all strive to honour and his name represents all that we are proud of when identifying ourselves as Liverpool Football Club.”