Sir Alex Ferguson sent congratulations to old rival Sir Kenny Dalglish after Liverpool won the title

Sir Kenny Dalglish has shown that friendships outlast rivalries by revealing Sir Alex Ferguson was one of the first people to text him congratulations.

The Scots had many battles over the years from opposing dugouts when Dalglish was twice Liverpool manager plus a spell in charge of Blackburn and Ferguson was in charge of Manchester United.

But Ferguson was quick to fire a message of congratulations to Liverpool’s non-executive director on Thursday night after the title was confirmed when Chelsea beat Manchester City.

‘He has contacted us to say congratulations by the modern medium!’ Dalglish said. 

‘You go through the older generation, Fergie at Man United, Brian Kidd, Mike Summerbee, all the old foes who went through football at the same time and at the end of the year you sent a letter of congratulations.

‘That continues. It is a great compliment. You are in competition and you are rivals but to have the intelligence so you are magnanimous enough to send in a letter saying congratulations.

‘These days it has gone more technical, you get your texts or emails off the people who you have been competing with all your life. They wish it was themselves who won it but they are proud to pay homage to other people.’