Kenny Dalglish can scarcely believe Manchester United have won the title 13 times since the Liver bird last crowed from the summit.

And after sticking up for Sir Alex Ferguson when he was under pressure at Old Trafford 30 years ago – the pair’s rivalry goes back almost half a century to an Old Firm reserve game – Dalglish now jokes: “I should have kept my mouth shut.”

Fergie knocked Liverpool “off their perch” and delivered 26 major trophies to United, leaving Dalglish to reflect ruefully on the power-shift since May 1990 when he celebrated the title at Anfield with coaches Ronnie Moran and Roy Evans.

Some United fans were far from impressed as Ferguson's reign got off to a slow start (
Image:
Screengrab)

Now 66, and Merseyside royalty for the last four decades, King Kenny said ahead of Saturday's latest chapter in the rivalry: “If you had told me in 1990, when I stepped away from the manager’s job, that Liverpool would still be waiting to win another title 27 years later, and Manchester United would win it 13 times in that period, I think you’d have been locked up.

“Certainly, it’s been a lot longer than most people would have anticipated but that will only make it all the more sweet when it comes — I just hope it comes sooner rather than later.

“Ultimately, you get what you deserve over 38 games.

These 1990 title celebrations for Dalglish and co were to be Liverpool's last... (
Image:
Allsport)
...since then, United have been champions 12 times — giving them 20 wins to Liverpool's 18 (
Image:
PA)

“When Fergie first came to United, you lot were all shouting for him to get the sack and I was saying he deserved more time.

“As a manager, he was hugely intent on being as successful as Liverpool had been for many years, and it didn’t matter who was in his way.

“He was successful all right – and I don’t think there’s a lot wrong with how he went about it, either.”

(
Image:
betstars.co.uk)

Kenny Dalglish has made the Big Call with online betting site BetStars.

He is backing Liverpool to beat Manchester United, 2-1.

#CallIt atwww.betstars.uk

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