Sir Kenny Dalglish Pays Tribute as Bill Shankly Mural Unveiled in Liverpool | OneFootball

Sir Kenny Dalglish Reflects on Bill Shankly’s Legacy and Slot’s Liverpool at Mural Unveiling

In a moving tribute that blends legacy and loyalty, Sir Kenny Dalglish reflected on the monumental contribution of Bill Shankly as he joined This Is Anfield ahead of the Bill Shankly Mural Unveiling in West Derby. The mural, created by Murwalls and coordinated by The Shankly Experience, immortalises not only the iconic Liverpool manager but also his wife Nessie, underscoring the often-overlooked familial sacrifices behind football greatness.

Honouring Shankly’s Legacy in Liverpool

Dalglish, who shared a unique generational connection to Shankly’s ethos, was visibly moved by the mural: “How appropriate it is to have… not only the pitch has been named after him as well many many years ago. But the football club is where it is because of the man that’s in the picture.”

He extended this tribute beyond the footballing figure to Shankly’s wife, saying: “The man is where he is because of the good lady that’s in the picture… the good ladies play a huge role as well… they’re hugely important to the success of any manager or any footballer.” In a sport often dominated by tales of trophies and tactics, Dalglish’s words brought a human depth to the mural’s unveiling.

Foundations Laid for Future Success

Speaking to This Is Anfield, Dalglish was keen to emphasise the values Shankly embedded into Liverpool’s DNA. When asked about what Shankly means to the club, he noted, “You sacrifice a lot your time with the family to either play football or managing football… it’s a decent life for everybody, but the good ladies play a huge role.”

This understanding of sacrifice, discipline, and loyalty echoes through the mural and through the generations of Liverpool players and managers who followed.

Reflection on His Own Journey

Dalglish, who succeeded Kevin Keegan at Liverpool after the club’s first European Cup win in 1977, was candid about the pressures he faced: “All you can do is try your best… I didn’t try and emulate what [Keegan] did. I tried to be myself.” It’s a philosophy that mirrors Shankly’s own authenticity—build the club with your identity, and let that identity serve the people.

Dalglish recalled his first impressions of Liverpool even before joining the club: “I came here when I was 15 for trials… Liverpool’s always been there about people’s mind, people’s tongue.” His perspective rooted the mural not only in nostalgia but also in continuity—Shankly laid the tracks, and players like Dalglish kept the train running.

Contemporary Liverpool and Arne Slot

On current matters, Dalglish voiced support for Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new manager: “Arne is a really good guy… he’s very relaxed, laidback… he’s done a fantastic job.” He acknowledged that Slot and Klopp are “two different people, different personalities, different beliefs in how the game should be played,” but added, crucially, “thankfully for Liverpool, usually successful as well.”

It was a nod to how, even in transition, Liverpool’s DNA—first engineered by Shankly—endures. On the club’s future, Dalglish reflected simply: “We’ll wait and see what goes on through the summer… but give them a chance to enjoy themselves.”