Kenny Dalglish reveals his favourite ever Liverpool teammate | OneFootball

Liverpool Legend Kenny Dalglish Names his Favourite Teammate

Liverpool have always been defined by their iconic players, and when a club legend like Kenny Dalglish singles out one teammate above all others, it carries genuine weight. Across decades of dominance, few partnerships in world football have captured the imagination like Dalglish and Ian Rush in the red of Liverpool.

Dalglish’s Glorious Era at Anfield

Dalglish arrived at Liverpool from Celtic in 1977 and immediately became a pivotal figure in the club’s success. Nicknamed “King Kenny” by the Anfield faithful, his vision, composure and football intelligence helped Liverpool to dominate both domestically and in Europe.

During his spell as a player, Dalglish won six First Division titles, three European Cups and a host of domestic trophies. Beyond the silverware, he symbolised Liverpool’s philosophy of attacking football. His creative spark turned good sides into great ones, particularly when paired with the right forward.

Ian Rush, the Perfect Finisher

While Dalglish was often the architect, Ian Rush provided the clinical edge. The Welsh striker had an instinctive knack for finding space in the penalty area and rarely needed a second invitation to score. Together, they formed a partnership that terrorised defences throughout the 1980s.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Dalglish was clear about who stood out the most during his illustrious career.

“The best one for me was Rushie [Ian Rush], he saved me a lot of running!” Dalglish said.“But Rushy was brilliant, especially for my position. If I was playing somewhere else I might have said Souness or somebody else.If somebody says to me ‘so who is the best player,’ I’d probably say ‘well what day is it?’ Everybody plays their part.”

Photo: IMAGO

Rush scored 346 goals in 660 appearances for Liverpool, a tally that makes him the club’s all-time leading scorer. His partnership with Dalglish was built on trust and a mutual understanding of each other’s strengths.

Enduring Impact on Liverpool’s Identity

The Dalglish-Rush connection was more than just a successful duo. It represented an era when Liverpool were almost untouchable at home and respected across Europe. Their telepathic understanding on the pitch remains a benchmark for forwards at Anfield today.

Supporters often reminisce about their chemistry, the clever through-balls from Dalglish and the precise finishing from Rush. These moments are part of Liverpool’s rich heritage and still inspire today’s strikers striving to emulate their legacy.