SOCCER:LIVERPOOL'S OWNERS, Fenway Sports Group, have given an indication Kenny Dalglish will be offered the long-term manager's position at Anfield by opening talks with Steve Clarke over a long-term deal.
Clarke was appointed first-team coach until the end of the season within days of Dalglish’s return as temporary manager in January. The Scot has spoken of his desire to continue working alongside Dalglish and that wish is almost certain to be granted after FSG approached the former Chelsea and West Ham United coach over extending his stay.
Dalglish has held talks with John W Henry and Tom Werner, Liverpool’s principal owner and chairman respectively, over succeeding Roy Hodgson on a long-term basis, although his widely anticipated appointment is yet to be finalised.
Dalglish and Clarke are likely to be handed three-year deals having transformed the club, with Liverpool’s owners aware any return to English football by Jose Mourinho could result in the Real Madrid manager offering Clarke, who was his right-hand man at Chelsea, the chance of a reunion.
Clarke said yesterday: “Every manager I’ve worked with – you pick up good qualities from all of them and so far, in a short space of time, I’ve seen a lot of great qualities from Kenny. I hope to continue the work into the future.”
Jamie Carragher is expected to continue at the heart of the Liverpool defence against Birmingham City on Saturday despite being carried off with concussion in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. Andy Carroll and Fabio Aurelio joined an already extensive injury list at the Emirates with knee and hamstring problems respectively and are doubtful for the home game but Carragher has recovered well from the second-half collision with his 18-year-old team-mate John Flanagan.
