Liverpool unveil new Kenny Dalglish Stand at Anfield in honour of legendary former player and manager, who is simply dubbed 'The King' on Merseyside

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Liverpool have unveiled the new Kenny Dalglish stand in honour of the Anfield legend, who spent 20 years at the club as player and manager. 

Forty years ago, Dalglish arrived at Liverpool for a then record British transfer fee of £440,000 from Celtic and went on to become one of the club's greatest ever players.

And now the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group, have decided to give him the ultimate recognition and the Kenny Dalglish Stand will be a permanent monument to his influence.

Liverpool have unveiled the new Kenny Dalglish stand in honour of the Anfield legend, who spent 20 years at the club

The bagpipes plays on the field as Dalglish's family, close friends and former team-mates join him out on the field including Steven Gerrard, Gerard Houllier, Gary McAllister, Chris Lawler, Alan Kennedy, Phil Neal, Terry McDermott, Robbie Fowler, daughter Kelly Cates, Jamie Carragher, Roy Evans, Michael Owen and Alan Hansen.

Dalglish, admittedly a man a few words, spoke about the great times he had at the club and the success he enjoyed there

Some familiar faces from the footballing fraternity turned out to wish 'The King' well, including former striker Michael Owen

The Scot's unparalleled services to Liverpool have earned him the nickname 'The King' on Merseyside and the new stand is testament to all he has done not only for the club, but the city. 

Liverpool-born comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, former manager Gerard Houllier and former players Ian St John, Robbie Fowler, Alan Hansen, Phil Thompson, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard were all invited to attend the ceremony. 

However, old foe Sir Alex Ferguson was perhaps the most notable name on the invitation list and he, and fellow Old Trafford great Sir Bobby Charlton, were both in attendance at Anfield.

Scottish bagpipes rang out around the stadium and Dalglish has been overwhelmed by the response from the football fraternity.

'The first feeling you get is you feel a wee bit humbled,' he told the club's website.

'If the club thinks I've done something for them then it's a fraction of what they've done for us as a family,' Dalglish said

'The supporters were truly respected and appreciated and without them the club would not be what it is today' Dalglish added

Manchester United legends Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson were invited along by Dalglish

Dalglish and Ferguson, rivals on the pitch but friends away from it, share a joke during the stand unveiling 

(L-R) Gary McAllister, Gerard Houllier, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and Roy Evans all come together to celebrate 

'We're tremendously proud when we see our name up there on the stand. There's plenty of candidates that could've been up there and it's fantastic for us as a family that our name is up there. As I say, when you look at it you're a wee bit embarrassed, but obviously immensely proud.'

The former forward, now 66, moved south from Glasgow at just 25 years of age. It preceded many joyous and fruitful years for the Reds and Dalglish recalls the time fondly.

'We came here in 1977 so for us it was a big move, coming from Glasgow. If I'd had the choice of where I wanted to play, it would've been here,' Dalglish added.

'I came down here when I was 15 and stayed for a fortnight. Shanks asked us to sign then, but I was a wee bit young to leave home, I thought, so I was very fortunate to be asked to come back again when I was 26 and play for the club. For me, it was a perfect place to play. 

Houllier and former Liverpool left back Alan Kennedy share a joke as the legends gather on the Anfield pitch

 'The first feeling you get is you feel a wee bit humbled,' the Scot said about the unveiling of his new stand at Anfield

Dalglish, now 66, moved south from Glasgow at just 15 years of age, a time which preceded many fruitful years for the Reds

'Everybody helped each other, there was never any big-time Charlies in the dressing room, everybody was on an even keel and everybody got treated exactly the same.

'So for us it was a fantastically run football club, and all we had to do was go and play. We had the easy part, and probably the most enjoyable part as well.

The club's ownership group, Fenway Sports Group, were not present but released a statement from John W Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon commneding Dalglish. 

'We know as one of the ultimate team players in Liverpool's illustrious history Kenny will be uncomfortable with the individual attention that he is receiving but given his unique contribution to this club it is wholly merited,' it said. ' 'There are many ways in which a person can be honoured but when we started discussing how to pay tribute to Kenny one of the main considerations was doing it in a manner which involved the supporters because of the joy that he has brought to them over the years. 

'In that respect, renaming the Centenary Stand in his honour made perfect sense, particularly in this, the club's 125th anniversary year. 'It is testament to Kenny's willingness to think of others that from the moment we began formulating plans for The Kenny Dalglish Stand he made it clear that for it to be representative of him it had to be inclusive. 

'To that end, he came up with the idea of The Kenny Dalglish Community Suite which is housed within the stand and will be used by the Club's Red Neighbours programme with a focus on supporting the elderly, addressing food poverty, encouraging physical activity and creating memorable experiences for young people. 

Dalglish poses alongside his wife Marina outside of the news named Kenny Dalglish Stand at Anfield

 To cap off a weekend which will honour the Liverpool icon, fans will display a mosaic in the newly-renamed stand on Saturday

A mosaic reading 'The King' will be held up before Liverpool play Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday 

'This gesture means more local people who live in the Anfield area will be able to access what is one of sport's most iconic stadiums in a truly meaningful way which Kenny hopes will bring significant benefits to the local community. 

'Having provided so much joy on the pitch, it speaks volumes for Kenny that even though his playing days are now behind him his desire to make a positive difference on behalf of the people of Liverpool remains as strong as ever. 

'As a club we are fortunate to have been served by numerous individuals who have been, not just leaders in their field, but also standard bearers for the values which make Liverpool great. 

'Given his renowned modesty, Kenny would be the first to admit that he is not the only player or manager to fall into that category but from our point of view he personifies the qualities which make Liverpool Football Club the world renowned sporting institution that it is and for that reason he is fully deserving of today's recognition.'

To cap off a weekend which will honour the Liverpool icon, fans will display a mosaic in the newly-renamed stand ahead of their clash with Manchester United Saturday lunchtime.