Past managersKenny Dalglish (first spell)

His impact on the playing field had been nothing short of sensational and yet now, in the aftermath of the Heysel Stadium tragedy, the club was looking to him to reproduce his genius on the pitch in the dugout.

It was a big ask for someone who was just 34, but then, Dalglish was not your average man.

He went on to make management look easy and despite a difficult start to his first season at the helm, he led the Reds to their first ever league and FA Cup double in 1985-86. The fact that both came at the expense of Everton made the achievement all the sweeter.

His return to the side during the run-in to that momentous campaign proved he could juggle the two roles perfectly, and it was perhaps fitting that he was the one who scored the winning goal at Chelsea to secure the championship.

Gradually, but somewhat inevitably, his playing appearances became less frequent over the next few years as he concentrated more on the managerial aspects of his dual role, but there was still the odd flash of brilliance to revel in as the master sought to teach his apprentices.

While his first season in charge was one of tremendous success, his second ended empty-handed. It was a frustrating period for Liverpool and many wondered how Dalglish would fair in rebuilding a side that had just lost the goalscoring genius of Ian Rush to Juventus.

The answer was simple - he excelled.

In came John Barnes and Peter Beardsley, to add to the mid-season acquisition of John Aldridge, as the Reds not only set about reclaiming their place at the summit of English football but also began to play some of the most entertaining football ever seen at Anfield.

The 5-0 win at home to title rivals Nottingham Forest in April 1988 was the perfect example of the sublime - but winning - style Dalglish had instilled into his team.

The championship was won at a canter and the only low point was that a second Double was not clinched, after Wimbledon produced one of the great shocks to win the FA Cup final by a 1-0 scoreline.

The close-season brought with it another major surprise for Kopites, but this time it was a good one, as Dalglish's old strike partner, Rush, returned to the fold after just one season in Italy.

However, 1988-89 would be marred by a tragedy that shook the very core of club and city. Ninety-seven fans lost their lives as a result of the disaster that occurred at the FA Cup semi-final clash with Forest at Hillsborough.

It was a dark period in LFC history and one that would eventually take its toll on Dalglish the manager.

After a period of mourning, the Reds went on to, fittingly, lift the FA Cup courtesy of a 3-2 win over neighbours Everton in the final.

And it looked as if a fantastic finish to the season would see them crowned champions until a last-gasp goal from Arsenal's Michael Thomas gave the Gunners a 2-0 victory at Anfield and snatched the title away.

It was a sad end to a difficult season, but despite a tough opening to the 1989-90 campaign, Dalglish would once again rise to the task, inspiring his team to the title - the club's 18th.

An ageing side were still the envy of the First Division and it looked like business as usual as the Reds notched up 10 straight league victories from the start of the following season.

However, the emotional turmoil of Hillsborough was taking its toll on Dalglish and as cracks began to show in the team's defence of the title, he began to reach breaking point.

A 4-4 draw with Everton in an FA Cup fifth-round replay at Goodison Park proved the straw that broke the camel's back.

Liverpool led four times, but the defensive frailties that were hindering their bid to retain top spot saw the Blues snatch an undeserved draw.

The Reds boss looked a forlorn figure at the end of the match but it still came as a huge surprise when he announced his decision to resign just two days later.

Nevertheless, after achieving legendary status as a player, he had duly cemented his name among the club's greatest managers and its iconic figures.