Liverpool (8/1 to win the Premier League) legend Kenny Dalglish has backed the appointment of Roy Hodgson as the former Fulham boss signs a three-year-deal at the Anfield club.
Hodgson was unveiled as the new manager on Thursday after Rafa Benitez was given a £6m compensation deal to leave the club.
The Spaniard has now moved to Italian giants Inter Milan and now Hodgson has stepped in to the role as he looks to restore Liverpool to their top four status in the Premier League.
Despite applying for the job himself, Dalglish supported the new signing, stating that he was more than happy with the appointment.
He said: “I look very favourably on the appointment.
“I have known Roy a long time and have a great respect for him.
“We’ve not had detailed conversations yet but my interests are in Liverpool,” he added.
Dalglish failed to secure the position as the new manager of Liverpool as Martin Broughton decided it was not in the best interest for the club despite the Scot leading the Merseyside club to their last league title.
Hodgson believes that he and Dalglish will be able to work together at the club despite the former Liverpool boss being looked over for the job.
He said: “I don’t feel at all awkward about the situation.
“Kenny was entitled to suggest to the board that he wanted to be considered. The board made it clear to me that they didn’t want that to happen, as the chairman (Martin Broughton) has outlined.
“As far as I’m concerned, it shouldn’t affect my relationship with Kenny in any way,” he added.
Hodgson’s first task is to try and keep hold of Liverpool’s top players before the start of the Premier League season.
The club won’t be playing Champions League football this campaign after finishing in seventh place in the top flight last season.
There are fears that the likes of Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and captain Steven Gerrard could be on their way out of Anfield and Hodgson will be trying his best to secure the services of these players.
Liverpool will take on Arsenal in the pick of the opening day matches at Anfield (Liverpool 5/4, draw 9/4, Arsenal 7/4) before they take on Manchester City at Eastlands.
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