It is hard to believe that Kenny Dalglsih will be leading Liverpool into a European game for the first time as manager on Thursday night when we take on Sparta Prague. During Dalglish’s first spell as manager of Liverpool, the club were not able to play in any European competitions due to a ban on English clubs competing in continental competitions in the aftermath of the Heysel disaster.
The six year absence of Liverpool from European action coincided with Dalglish’s reign as manager and that is when Liverpool had arguably their best ever side which one 3 league titles and 2 FA Cups. If Liverpool were playing in Europe at that time, I would comfortably say we could have added atleast one or two more European trophies to our cabinet.
Well King Kenny has the chance now to manage Liverpool in a European game, all be it in the Europa League. I have no doubt that Dalglish will be relishing this opportunity and he will be going all out to get off to a winning start. In the past, we have fielded slightly weakened teams in the Europa League but as we do not have a league game this weekend, I am sure we will be fielding a full strength team on Thursday night.
To make it an even more special night, young Raheem Sterling has been called up to the squad travelling for this Europa League game. After his 5 goal blitz in the FA Youth Cup, Sterling could become the youngest ever player for Liverpool if he gets onto the field on Thursday.
