Kenny Dalglish is to return to Liverpool, with manager Rafael Benitez instrumental in the Scot's appointment at Anfield.

Dalglish will take up a senior role in the Reds academy and will also be a global ambassador for the club at which he made his name as a player before going on to become manager with equal success. Dalglish has maintained an abiding affection for the club and the feeling is mutual.

Managing director Christian Purslow said: "In our very first meeting Rafa and I agreed that we wanted to try and bring Kenny back to the club."

Not only will he be nurturing Liverpool's talented youngsters, he will also work with the commercial side of the business around the world.

Manager Benitez was keen to have Dalglish on board and believes his input will help Liverpool in the long-term.

Purslow added: "That would help Rafa really drive forward our academy, which is at the heart of our plans for the future.

"We are delighted he has agreed to join us and I am sure he will be very successful in his new role back at the club."

The 54-year-old was the last manager to deliver a title to Liverpool in 1990 and he also achieved that feat in 1986 - when the club won the double - and 1988, all three triumphs coming when he was still registered as a player. The FA Cup was secured in 1989 but he stunned Liverpool by resigning in February 1991.

Dalglish then went on to manage Blackburn, where he also won the title, Newcastle and Celtic. He arrived from Parkhead in 1977 as a replacement for Kevin Keegan and went on to score 172 goals in 515 games for Liverpool.

During that time they lifted the European Cup three times in 1978, 1981 and 1984 - and his legendary status among the Kop faithful was secured.