Pepe Reina: Kenny Dalglish is a Liverpool legend, just like Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola

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Pepe Reina has hailed Kenny Dalglish as a Liverpool legend after the impact he has made since taking the helm following Roy Hodgson’s departure, and compared him to Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola.

Since the Scot was installed in the Liverpool dugout, the Anfield club have seen a turn in form catapult them from the relegation places to pushing for a place in Europe next season.

“He’s a legend in Liverpool – and I mean a legend because sometimes that word is used too much for other people,” Reina told LFC Weekly of Dalglish.

“Kenny knows exactly what the people of the city think and what the supporters want to see.

“Pep Guardiola is a bit younger than him of course but they have very similar backgrounds – icons as players and great managers as well. It is important that he Dalglish knows the club.

“Because he was a great player himself, he understands the point of view of a player and that means he knows how to set standards and what is acceptable. He makes everything easier for us.”

Since taking over, Dalglish’s team have beaten bitter rivals Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, and drawn with Arsenal. But they have also slipped up against West Brom, West Ham and Wigan.

“We have improved since Kenny became manager,” Reina continued. “We have beaten the big teams. But it is important as players to repeat that in every game. We need to be consistent… with the aggression, commitment… everything.

“We cannot just perform against the top sides because a season is 10 months long. If we get the balance right, we’ll be a lot, lot closer to where we want to be.

“We started this season and the last one not the best. Next time, we need to make sure that doesn’t happen.”