London – Kenny Dalglish called on Liverpool's supporters to rally behind the club on Thursday following his shock sacking as manager of the Premier League giants.
Liverpool legend Dalglish was fired as manager on Wednesday after a disappointing campaign that saw the club post their worst league finish for 18 years and their lowest points tally since 1953/54.
However despite anger in some quarters about the abrupt nature of the 61-year-old's dismissal, Dalglish told the Liverpool Echo on Thursday that fans needed to show support to the club's American owners, the Fenway Sports Group.
“I would hope nobody would prejudge things now,” Dalglish told the Echo.
“The owners have their own reasons for doing what they have done.
“They came in to help the club at a time when it wasn't in a great condition.
“They have improved it, taken it forward and are doing the best they can.
“Liverpool is still a great football club, still a club that should believe in whoever is going to come in after myself.
“The supporters, not just for myself but for everyone else, have always been fantastically supportive of the team and that should not change.”
Dalglish meanwhile defended his legacy as manager, saying his successor would have a talented squad to work with.
Several of Dalglish's signings – most notably Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll – struggled to settle at Anfield this season, contributing to the Scottish manager's demise.
“You cannot underestimate the pressure that is on a boy who comes to play for Liverpool,” Dalglish said.
“But in the first year, what they have done has been a credit.
“There is now a great foundation to build on and to move forward with.
“Taking aside the decision made about myself, for four players to be in Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2012 and for Jordan Henderson to be on standby as well is a great credit to the players.” – Sapa-AFP