When Steven Gerrard jets across the Atlantic Ocean at the end of the season, he will do so safe in the knowledge that he has served his boyhood club Liverpool with such distinction.

There are some that will claim that he is the best player to have ever pulled on the famous red shirt, although others believe that he is pipped to that title by one man - Kenny Dalglish.

Having joined the Merseysiders from Celtic back in 1977, the Scot went on to win it all during his time at Anfield, including eight First Division titles and three European Cups.

However, for most of the 1990-91 season, Dalglish - now solely the manager - received a whole host of criticism as his tactics were scrutinised in great detail, despite the fact that his side topped the table from almost week one.

He remained a popular figure among the supporters and in the boardroom, but following the famous 4-4 FA Cup draw with rivals Everton at Goodison Park, Dalglish made a shock decision.

Twenty-four years ago today, the club called a press conference. The reason was not announced, with some speculating suggesting that winger John Barnes, who had been heavily linked with a switch to Italy, would be moving on.

There was indeed an outgoing, but it was not Barnes. Those that were in attendance at Anfield that morning soon learned that Dalglish had in fact handed in his resignation, which had been reluctantly accepted by the board.

Speaking about the surprise news, Dalglish said: "This is the first time since I came to the club that I take the interest of Kenny Dalglish over Liverpool. This is not a sudden decision. The worst I could have done was not to decide. One could argue that this decision hadn't come at a good time but there is no good time in cases like this.

"The main problem is the pressure I put on myself because of my strong desire to succeed. The stress that comes right before and after games has got the better of me. Some might have difficulty understanding my decision but this decision stands. I would be betraying everyone if I wouldn't let them know there is something wrong.

"I have been involved with football since I was 17. Twenty years with the two most successful teams in Britain - Celtic and Liverpool. I've been at the front all these years and it's time to end it."

Meanwhile, reflecting on Dalglish's departure back in 2008 for The Guardian, striker Ian Rush added: "We had just had this incredible game against Everton and drawn 4-4. We were ahead four times and Everton kept coming back, it was a fantastic game to watch. Kenny didn't show any signs that night but two days later he resigned.

"I think it just happened that morning. We had all come in for training and were told to meet in the dressing room. Kenny walked in and said he was leaving. It was complete shock and surprise in there. He couldn't say too much but there were tears in his eye as he spoke.

"He was a great man-manager. He used to take all the pressure off the players and heap it on himself. Looking back, you can see how it all built up inside him and he didn't tell anyone. It does take a toll when you manage a big club, and he had things to cope with that no one else had experienced."

Dalglish was temporarily replaced at the helm by Ronnie Moran, before Graeme Souness took over on a permanent basis.