Dalglish – Pre United press conference

Dalglish's first game back in the Liverpool hot-seat saw the 10 man reds lose 1-0 at Old Trafford

Kenny Dalglish has spoken to the press ahead of Sunday’s clash against Manchester United, congratulating United on their achievements over the past 20 years which has seen them eventually match Liverpool’s domestic league record haul of 18 titles.

However he insisted that Sunday’s game was not about attempting to dent United’s title charge – but his sole concern was in Liverpool’s performance.

“We want to help ourselves first. If we help ourselves and it hinders somebody else then that’s not our problem, that’s theirs.

“As we always say, you can control an awful lot of your own destiny and not someone else’s. If we concentrate on ourselves and prepare as well as we can, then whatever eventualities come from that, fine.

“If we get a result on Sunday it is more helpful to us than it is harmful to them.”

In 1973 Liverpool equalled Arsenal’s title haul of 8, and in 1976 they moved ahead on to 9. Liverpool have held the English domestic record unbroken for the last 35 consecutive years.

Kenny was asked about United’s charge over the past 20 years.  When Dalglish left Anfield, Liverpool had 18 titles compared with United’s 7.

“I never considered they would catch us. I was concentrating on what I was supposed to do and that was to manage Blackburn Rovers. You never look too far ahead and I wasn’t doing that then.

“To their credit they have won a fantastic amount of Championships and it shows how successful they have been.

“I was working for a good part of that time. I had my own competition with Manchester United when I was at Blackburn and then Newcastle. I never had any feelings. You take greater satisfaction from when your own team is successful and they’ve been more successful than Liverpool over the past 20 years.

“But at the end of the day we’ve still got bits we can hang on to. We’ve still won five European Cups.”

Kenny, who turns 60 tomorrow, was also asked briefly about his relationship with the United boss.  Liverpool’s two previous managers had very different relationships.  Rafa was a sworn enemy, whilst Roy Hodgson was very close friends.  Kenny said:

“I’ve never had a problem with Fergie. I’ve got respect for the job he has done as a manager. I’ve never had a problem. I’ve known him for a long, long time. It must be 40 years or so since I first came across him. I don’t have a problem.”

Liverpool v Manchester United kicks off at 1.30pm on Sunday.