Friday, February 01, 2008

Odds Shorten For Benitez Sacking

Bookies have dramatically shortened odds on Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's seemingly inevitable dismissal from his post at Liverpool following another shock defeat.

Liverpool lacked inspiration and paid the price when Jamie Carragher conceded a 90th minute penalty which Mark Noble duly converted to hand West Ham a priceless victory and Liverpool an almost embarrassing and soul-destroying defeat.

The embarrassment has been registered nationwide already, with the odds receding at William Hill, with Benitez 4/7 to not be Liverpool's manager at the start of next season and just 5/4 to stay at Anfield.

It is thought that next month's Champions League second round knockout encounter against Internazionale will make or break Benitez's immediate future, and the signs are not good for the Spaniard.

Inter are proving unstoppable domestically and will no doubt look to finally transform that success to European glory, but Benitez knows he will provide at least a quarter or semi-final finish for the Merseyside men as well as a fourth place finish in the Premier League as an absolute minimum - both of which are currently looking in severe jeopardy.

Title odds see Liverpool out at an embarrassing 150/1, with Manchester United 4/7 favourites, Arsenal at 5/2 and Chelsea at 4/1 - Benitez's one reprieve is that Liverpool still remain favourites to finish fourth at odds of 8/14.

Betfair's odds paint a similarly grim picture, with Liverpool distant outsiders for the title at 260/1, Manchester United again favourites at 5/7, Arsenal at 3/1 and Chelsea at 5/1, and Rafa is 5/6 to lose his job, with Liverpool remaining at 4/5 to finish fourth.

When questioned on the possibility of his dismissal, the former Valencia boss was understandably reluctant to divulge in any speculation.

"I'm thinking just about the next game and I will try to win the next three points against Sunderland," he answered. "Our next game is more realistic to think about."

When asked on what the owners may have thought of the calamitous defeat, he responded sarcastically, saying, "I don't know if they have a TV.

"Everything is behind (us) and we will start thinking about winning games."

Liverpool have dropped to seventh in the Premier League, though they have a game in hand that, if won, will bring them up to fourth place ahead of Everton on goal difference, who missed an opportunity this evening to put daylight between themselves and their bitter local rivals.

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