Liverpool stars used to trick manager by jumping into strangers' cars on training runs - 7M sport

Liverpool stars used to trick manager by jumping into strangers' cars on training runs

Former Liverpool stars used to trick legendary boss Kenny Dalglish during training runs by sneaking lifts from members of the public - to the amazement of John Barnes


Posted Friday, March 12, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk

Liverpool stars tricked former manager Kenny Dalglish by jumping into strangers' cars while on training runs.

Kop legend John Barnes said some players used to cheat by flagging down motorists to hitch a lift back to the club in Anfield from the training ground.

They were supposed to be jogging three miles from their Melwood training camp, while Dalglish and coach Ronnie Moran would be waiting by the Arkles pub next to the ground to greet them.

TV pundit Barnes, 57, said: "We used to go to the ground and then get on a coach and go to the training ground.

Liverpool stars used to trick manager by jumping into strangers' cars on training runs
Kenny Dalglish had his first spell as Liverpool boss between 1985 and 1991 (Image: Getty Images)

"And then they said pre-season 'run back'. So me and Peter Beardsley are running up the Queens Drive to go back to the ground and Ronnie Whelan and some of the players have hitched a lift. They've jumped in a car to get a lift.

"When they get to the Arkles, Kenny and Ronnie are waiting at the big gates and the players are ducking down in the car saying: 'Let us out here'."

Barnes, who joined Liverpool from Watford in 1987, added: "So I'm thinking: 'How can these be the best team in the country when everybody is messing around'. I just thought this is ridiculous."

Barnes said the approach was a far cry from his previous club under manager Graham Taylor, who became England manager.

He said: "At Watford we trained so hard. Graham Taylor had a stopwatch.

"And if you did a time which wasn't close to your best time he'd be screaming and shouting at you."

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