Ex-Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish appears at Hillsborough inquest

Kenny Dalglish was Liverpool manager in 1989. Credit: PA

Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is giving evidence to the Hillsborough inquest.

The 63-year-old arrived at Warrington Coroners Court in a club suit and wearing '96' badge.

ITV News reporter Damon Green was at the Coroner's Court:

Dalglish was in the Liverpool dugout during the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 1989 at Hillsborough, where 96 fans died.

In the aftermath, the Scot attended all 96 funerals of the victims of the tragedy, including four in just one day.

"We made sure somebody with Liverpool connections was at every funeral and I think the families really respected that," Dalglish explained in 2009.

The events of 1989 had a profound impact on Dalglish, who eventually quit Liverpool 21 months after the event.

His daughter Kelly said: "All the emotion and stress of Hillsborough, all the weight of responsibility he felt, had taken its toll. Hillsborough was devastating for dad."

Liverpool MP Steve Rotherham wanted Dalglish to be knighted for all of his achievements, including his acts following Hillsborough.

Dalglish was on the touchline at Hillsborough. Credit: PA

The ex-Blackburn boss spoke out for the first time about the tragedy in 2009 after a 20-year silence.

Daglish feels a sense of regret that kick-off was not delayed on the day.

"The easiest thing to do is just to put the kick-off back a bit. That's no problem for anybody. If the police are talking to the FA and the FA have got to make that call, there wouldn't have been any resentment or disagreement with the people in the dressing room, neither Brian Clough or ourselves certainly," Dalglish said.

Dalglish received great praise for his actions. Credit: PA

Dalglish was a first-hand witness to the events at Hillsborough from the touchline and, at one point, was asked to make a public announcement at the game, but the system was not working.

"I honestly can’t remember much about those early minutes," Dalglish told the Liverpool Echo.

"I know we hit the bar and then the next thing the police were on the pitch and the referee was told to stop the game.

"Clearly there was something going on behind the goal where our fans were. But we did not know what.

"They had just put the fences up around that time and we immediately feared there was a bit of trouble in there."