Kenny Dalglish has revealed he is hoping to bring back the Boot Room mentality to Liverpool during his time in charge at Anfield.

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The 59-year-old will lead out the Reds against Everton today for the first time in front of the Kop since being reinstalled to the hot seat.

Dalglish's previous stint at the helm yielded three league titles and two FA Cups, though he attributes the support and unity of his backroom team as being a key factor in the success.

Almost 20 years after his first reign came to an end, the Scot is once again Liverpool boss - and he's hoping to recreate a similar set-up to that which proved so triumphant during the halcyon days of the 1970s and 80s.

"The Boot Room shouldn't just be perceived as somewhere to go to have a drink with the opposition manager," said Dalglish.

"Wherever you go, all teams should be the same. The Boot Room was somewhere were everything was discussed and everything that was pertinent to LFC was discussed in there.

"Certainly that's the way I've been brought up and that's how I try to be. I always include the staff and at the end of the day there's staff with various roles and responsibilities and we all get on with our jobs.

"The Boot Room unified everyone and I don't know if there have been any divisions here in times gone by, but there certainly won't be any divisions as long as I'm sitting here."

Dalglish has already moved to bolster his backroom staff with the appointment of acclaimed coach Steve Clarke, who will work with the first team at Melwood.

"He's got a great CV and he's worked at some great clubs and with some top players," said the Reds boss. "He's a footballing person and he's someone who enjoys coaching and I don't think he has a real desire to be a manager so it's perfect for us.

"As long as everyone's given their respect in what they do and given the room to do what they do then fine."

Click the image below to watch Kenny's derby preview

It's fitting that it should be Everton who provide the first opposition for Dalglish's second coming at Anfield.

The Blues regularly vied with the Reds for honours during the Scot's maiden reign, while they were also the last side he took on as Liverpool boss first time around when the two sides played out an epic 4-4 draw in an FA Cup tie at Goodison Park.

Howard Kendall was the Everton gaffer that night - and he's already been in touch with Dalglish ahead of the 215^th Merseyside derby.

Nonetheless, Liverpool's new boss is keen to stress relations between the two clubs remain healthy.

"Howard Kendall's phoned already - he said he hopes we get battered," joked Dalglish.

"We've always got on. Right from the very top the club's have got on and trusted each other.

"In the Boot Room days all the Everton staff used to come in for a drink, and in respect of players they always got along and they do now.

"However on the pitch they break loose for 90 minutes and it's the same in the dug outs. Afterwards we just got on with our lives and put it to bed."

He added: "I think it's a credit to both sets of fans that they can go to the games together, they can go with their mates, their sons, one Red and one Blue.

"Unfortunately in recent times it's not as prevalent as what it used to be. I think it is probably still the friendliest derby and that is a great tribute to both sets of fans that they can get on."

Some have suggested today's meeting could be the most important Merseyside derby since Dalglish's first spell in charge, albeit for different reasons given both sides have endured mixed campaign's so far.

The manager, however, doesn't see it that way.

He said: "I don't think the positions of either club have ever been a reflection of how important the game is.

"I think the game is always important. It'll be the same as any other derby in the fact that anytime we play each other it is very important that you come out top. This will be no different."