Dalglish back at Liverpool

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LIVERPOOL, England, July 3, 2009 (AFP) - Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish is returning to Anfield to take up a role in their academy and become a global ambassador for the club, the Premier League side announced Friday.

Kenny Dalglish is returning to Liverpool to take up a senior role in their academy and as a global ambassador for the club.

Dalglish became a revered figure at Anfield after joining from Celtic in 1977 and he is often cited as Liverpool's greatest player.

The Scot subsequently became the Merseyside club's manager.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wanted to get Dalglish back at the club, as new managing director Christian Purslow explained.

"In our very first meeting Rafa and I agreed that we wanted to try and bring Kenny back to the club.

"That would help Rafa really drive forward our academy, which is at the heart of our plans for the future.

"We are delighted he has agreed to join us and I am sure he will be very successful in his new role back at the club."

Dalglish 54, was Liverpool's manager the last time they won the English title in 1990.

He also achieved that feat in 1986 - when the club won the double - and 1988, all three triumphs coming when he was still registered as a player.

The FA Cup was secured in 1989 but he stunned Liverpool by resigning in February 1991.

Dalglish then went on to manage Blackburn, where he also won the title, Newcastle and Celtic.

He arrived from Parkhead in 1977 as a replacement for Kevin Keegan and went on to score 172 goals in 515 games for Liverpool during a golden era for the club when they won the European Cup in 1978, 1981 and 1984 after lifting the trophy for the first time shortly before Dalglish arrived at Anfield.