Dalglish adds Keen to Liverpool backroom

Liverpool appointed Kevin Keen as first team coach yesterday as part of manager Kenny Dalglish’s reorganisation of his backroom staff.

The arrival of the 44-year-old former West Ham United first team coach comes after assistant manager Sammy Lee’s departure from Anfield by mutual consent on Friday.

Keen spent his playing days with West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City, Macclesfield Town and Wycombe Wanderers before going into coaching.

He was caretaker manager at West Ham in their final match of last season following Avram Grant’s sacking after relegation from the Premier League.

“I’m delighted that Kevin is joining us to work alongside Steve Clarke coaching the first team squad. He has previously worked with Steve at West Ham and has a good reputation and a good manner about him,” Dalglish said on the club’s website.

Lee, 52, a player alongside Dalglish, returned to Anfield in 2008 at the invitation of Rafael Benitez and retained his position as assistant in January when Clarke arrived to coincide with Dalglish’s replacement of Roy Hodgson.

“We’d like to place on record our thanks for all of Sammy’s hard work over the years and the contribution he has made to Liverpool,” said Dalglish. “He has always been a credit to the football club and a credit to himself. Everyone at Liverpool FC wishes him all the best in his career.”

Lee, who played 294 times for the Reds, winning three league titles and two European Cups, said: “I returned to the club in 2008 and I’m proud of the contribution I’ve been able to make since then. I want to wish Kenny, the players and the supporters all the best going forward.”