It may have resulted in yet another defeat but the atmosphere surrounding Liverpool has changed dramatically over the weekend.

The inevitable departure of Roy Hodgson, who finally lost the support of the board after losing the fans and players a long time before, paved the way for "King" Kenny Dalglish to once again step into the Anfield hot seat 20 years after he was last there.

The fans were craving for such a move and so, as the players stepped out at Old Trafford on Sunday, there were chants of support echoing from the away section rather vitriolic songs of hate.

Could you have imagined the reaction of the fans had Hodgson still been around when Giggs netted that early penalty? Hodgson was guilty of many things at Anfield but it wasn't all his fault - except in the eyes of the fans who would have once again turned on the former Fulham man.

The advantage of Dalglish is twofold, not only is he one of Liverpool's favourite sons, winning seven league  titles and three European Cups as both player and manager, but he is also not Hodgson. Such was the pressure surrounding the 64-year-old that the fans were immediately lifted by his departure.

That feel good factor should bode them well in the coming weeks as they look to push on up the table, although the latest football scores suggest they face a tough task.

A tricky away match at Blackpool will be Dalglish's first task before he receives a hero's welcome at Anfield for his first home game against, who else, but Mersey rivals Everton. Fans will no doubt be keeping a keen eye on the live match score.

The Reds support will have been up for that game anyway but fueled by nostalgia and the renewed hope of future glories the negative vibes and vitriolic chants will be consigned, like Hodgson, to the Anfield history books.