Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish - Where did it all go wrong?

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 16 May 2012

With Kenny Dalglish's reign at Anfield ending after one full season in charge, Sports Mole considers what was behind Liverpool's decision to axe the Scotsman.

Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool revival has been cut short after one full season in charge at Anfield.

The Merseyside outfit's American owners, Fenway Sports Group, have called time on the Scotsman's tenure today following discussions with John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner.

With reasons on why the Liverpool legend has been axed floating around, Sports Mole has taken a look back at what could have triggered the demise of the Scotsman.

Premier League form

Liverpool's minimum target at the start of the Premier League season was to finish in the top four, but as the campaign drew on it became increasingly clear that the Merseyside outfit were far from reaching their ambitious target.

The Reds finished 37 points adrift of title winners Manchester City and could only boast an eighth position below local rivals Everton, which has been recorded as the club's lowest ever points total.

Despite hitting the bar more than any other team in the top flight, disappointing results on home turf as well as relinquishing leads during matches contributed to Liverpool's dire league form.

Luis Suarez controversy

Arguably the most detrimental event in Liverpool's season was the racism controversy involving star striker Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan was banned for eight matches after the Football Association deemed the forward guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in October.

Dalglish was publicly supportive of the 25-year-old and even donned a t-shirt displaying Suarez's picture and number after the ruling was made, which sparked controversy among the media. The Scotsman was later targeted after reacting to criticism after Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand when the duo came face to face at Old Trafford a month later.

Signings

The American owners allowed over £100m to be used on new players in January and the summer prior to the 2011-12 season, which the 61-year-old spent on the likes of Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Alexander Doni, Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

With the exception of Suarez, many have argued that the new Liverpool additions have failed to make an impact at Anfield, with Carroll and Downing receiving strong criticism for not living up to their respective £35m and £20m price tags.

Domestic cup run

Despite a poor league form, Dalglish was given full credit for leading the Reds to their first piece of silverware in six years by clinching the Carling Cup trophy after defeating Cardiff City on penalties.

The Reds almost made it a cup double but fell at the final hurdle when they met Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley last month. Many had suggested that winning the coveted FA Cup trophy would paper over the cracks of the club's torrid season. However, it wasn't to be and Dalglish, who is regarded by many Liverpool fans as the greatest player to pull on a Reds shirt, has come to the end of his reign at Anfield.