Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is keen for the club to rediscover the style of their glory days — as it is the only way he knows how to play football.
The success of the late 1970s and through the 1980s was built on the pass-and-move doctrines instigated by Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.
Dalglish flourished as a player in those teams and tried to continue the legacy in his first spell as manager.
The game may have moved on since he was Reds boss nearly 20 years ago but, particularly in the last couple of years, Liverpool’s style became more structured and solid with less focus on attack and flair.
In the three matches Dalglish has been in charge since taking over from Roy Hodgson, there has been a noticeable move towards a more upbeat, positive approach.
It is a conscious decision by Dalglish to fill his players with the knowledge and expertise he learned when he wore the Reds’ famous number seven shirt. Asked if it was important to rediscover the attitude Shankly introduced at the club the 59-year-old Scot said: "Well, it has never gone for me.
"Pass and move isn’t old fashioned, it’s the Liverpool way.
"That’s the way I was brought up and I don’t think I could change. I think that’s the way the players would like to play as well.
"It’s great for the fans to watch and you can’t underestimate their role.
"Everyone has to play their role. We have to lift the fans. If the staff, the owners and everyone else sing from the same hymn sheet, which we are doing, then I’m sure we have happier days ahead of us.
"The sooner we start winning games the sooner we can look forward and upwards."
Dalglish has been given the job on an initial six-month basis after taking over from Hodgson but chairman Tom Werner said he is a contender to assume the role full-time.
"He has many of the qualities that we have articulated will be what we are looking for and he is going to be a candidate," said Werner.
Henry and Werner met with Dalglish yesterday and the subject of transfers understandably cropped up.
Those discussions were "positive" according to the Reds boss.
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