The return of King Kenny last season was supposed to herald the beginning of a new post Hicks and Gilette era. The initial signs were promising and even this season Liverpool have shown glimmers of improvement in their attractive football and solid defence. However what has really harmed them is their relationship and handling of the media.
Like it or not the media is undoubtedly a shaping force in football. It tells the fans who managers should be picking, informs managers of who they should be signing and can make or break players performances on the pitch. It is therefore bewildering why Dalglish insists on maintaining a frosty relationship with the media. What was so refreshing about him last season compared to Roy Hodgson was the rapier wit and mischievous antics he brought to the press room, but it seems as though the pressure of an underperforming Liverpool side is getting to the Anfield legend. Constant questions about the underperforming Carroll, the sacking of Comolli and the clubs indifferent league form have clearly rattled Dalglish and his press conferences have responded accordingly. In his post match interview against Blackburn he ludicrously declined to discuss any of the controversial incidents of one of the most controversial games of the season, including the sending off of the goalkeeper Doni and the potential sending off of Liverpool’s third choice keeper Brad Jones. He cannot then go on to criticise the media for its lack of positivity towards the club when Dalglish has given them so little to talk about.
It is imperative for managers these days to keep the media on their side. In recent years Ian Holloway, Jose Mourinho and Roberto Martinez have all had a sound grasp of how to manage and manipulate the media to benefit their team. Harry Redknapp throws out media quotes like they are going out of fashion and that seems to have all but landed him the England job. So why is Dalglish being so hostile to what could be such an ally? The answer lies in the siege mentality he is forming around Anfield. In a similar way to what Mourinho did with his Chelsea players, it appears he is trying to protect his players by deflecting any criticism of the team onto the ref, the opposition, the FA or anyone he can find. But while Mourinho’s charisma, charm, good looks and most importantly trophy haul allowed him to do this while still maintaining good relationships with the media, Dalglish doesn’t have the same media management talents at his disposal.
Liverpool have struggled once again to mount a serious title challenge and while the Carling Cup and the potential of an FA cup may be enough for the owners, the Liverpool fans will expect much more next season. As a Liverpool fan myself it’s frustrating to constantly read articles criticising both the team and King Kenny. For Liverpool to mount a premiership challenge something drastic needs to change, and while I believe sacking Dalglish will only result in further team disruption and a sharper decline in the clubs league position, a change in his media relations may just relieve the pressure on everybody surrounding the club including most importantly the players. Dalglish needs to forget his siege mentality and embrace all the allies Liverpool can get.
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