Why? Is fourth that important?

Liverpool's season was deemed overall very poor. Well maybe from the view of a multi-million pound businessman who couldn't earn back some of the money he invested into the club last summer. Obviously, football is no longer a game and is a business, so the failure to finish 4th is dissatisfying season no matter how many other trophies you win. With this, brings impatience. FSG failed to be patient with Dalglish and weren’t willing to take the chance that he’d bring success the following season. They felt, like many big club owners now, that 8th place is quite simply, not good enough.

Don't get me wrong, 8th place is a position Liverpool should never be finishing. But only around year and a half ago, Liverpool were out of both Cup competitions, heading towards the Relegation zone and at one point just a day from administration. A 3-1 loss away to Blackburn sealed Hodgson's fate and Dalglish was soon brought in for the remainder of the season. After turning our season around with wins over United (3-1), Chelsea (1-0), City (3-0) and Newcastle (3-0), FSG had only one choice for their new manager, and that, partly due to pressure from the majority of fans, was King Kenny Dalglish.

£18million Downing failed
to make an impact during
 his first season for the reds.

During the summer, Kenny encouraged John Henry to spend big on Players such as Henderson, Downing and Coates who overall made a poor first impression at Anfield. Countless home draws mounted to the frustration surrounding the club and despite taking the Reds to Wembley 3 times, returning Silverware and European football to Liverpool, a disappointing League position made Dalglish another victim of Liverpool's recent sackings. It's also thought that the handling of the Suarez case was another major factor in the dismissal of Kenny as he backed the Uruguayan striker who was later found guilty of racism towards United Left Back, Patrice Evra. 

Liverpool's managing director, Ian Ayre spoke of the reasoning behind Kenny's dismissal: "It was a very simple decision based on results, and did we believe that was going to change?  To be 37 points off the winner, 17 points off fourth, 14 losses. Winning the FA Cup wouldn't have made any difference - it was never about an individual result. It was always about taking a review of the season in full. But you have got to have both. You have got to have continued progress in the league. If you don't do well in the league and you don't get into the Champions League, you are writing cheques from your own pocket, aren't you?

That is not a sustainable way going forward.I agree you can't keep changing managers and as long as what you expect in terms of moving forwards is achieved, of course you give that person the time and support they need. But there is a difference between that and failure. If you massively get it wrong then of course you have to make that change. You expect targets to be achieved. "

Not enough - Carling Cup Victory wasn't enough for
Liverpool owner John Henry (right)

Despite speaking of his respect towards Dalglish, Liverpool's owner John Henry felt the correct decision would be to sack Dalglish. He went on to say, "He is in many ways the heart and soul of the club, He personifies everything that is good about Liverpool Football Club. He has always put the club and its supporters first. Kenny will always be a part of the family at Anfield.”

The Clash in mindset and philosophy was indicated between Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish during a remark made by Dalglish soon after his dismissal, “Of course I am disappointed with results in the league, but I would not have swapped the Carling Cup win for anything as I know how much it meant to our fans and the club to be back winning trophies.’’

I won't ever forget that FSG saved Liverpool FC, but the sacking of Dalglish reminds us all that their aim most importantly is to make money. Not for their love of the club. They didn't get the results that earnt them the money so Dalglish had to go. Personally, I believe if they want that money, then sacking people like Dalglish is the wrong move to make. Let's not take the Chelsea approach, lets give our players and managers time. 

As a great man once said: “LFC exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.” Which, despite being a hard prospect in football nowadays, should at least be given some thought by John Henry. Dalglish has given more to Liverpool Football Club than Henry ever will, he walks away but he knows he'll never walk alone.