Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has praised Reds owners Fenway Sports Group for their 'encouraging' reign since they took charge of the club last year.

Owner John W. Henry alongside Tom Werner have invested in the Merseyside club, funding the transfers of Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

The Scottish boss has compared the American businessmen to Sir John Smith and Peter Robinson, who ran Liverpool in the 1980s.

"The greatest compliment I can pay to them is that they're as good as the people who ran the club the first time I was here," said Dalglish.

"John, Tom Werner and the rest of the investors that have supported this football club have been absolutely fantastic.

"Since I came in January they've been nothing but supportive towards what we have to do. Their ambitions and aims are exactly the same as our most ardent fan - they want to have the success that everyone craves. And they've started off very encouragingly."

The Reds host rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday.