Kenny's Liverpool Short List

Roy Hodgson and Louis van Gaal will be the first two managers to be approached by Liverpool king-maker Kenny Dalglish.

A meeting at Anfield yesterday between the Reds’ legend and managing director Christian Purslow has outlined a shortlist of potential candidates to replace Rafa Benitez.

And the overwhelming front-runners on that list are Fulham boss Hodgson and Champions League finalist van Gaal, who enjoyed a successful campaign with Bayern Munich this season.

Dalglish will make discreet approaches to both men and then put together a package to tempt one of them to Anfield.

The Liverpool board feels there is no need to rush, given that the World Cup will dominate the next month and few players will be available until after the tournament.

But Dalglish and Purslow have decided that Hodgson and van Gaal have the perfect qualities to take the club forward after a poor season.

Fulham would mount a fight to stop Hodgson moving to Anfield. He was rewarded with a new rolling contract earlier this season which would cost Liverpool about £2.5million in compensation.

Hodgson’s wife Sheila is from Liverpool and the couple enjoyed living in the north-west while he was boss of Blackburn.

Sven: I Would Love To Manage Liverpool

Sven Goran Eriksson confessed last night to being a lifelong Liverpool fan and admitted: Managing the Kop would be a dream job.

The former England boss' shock admission came just 24 hours after Rafa Benitez left Anfield, leaving the Merseyside giants hunting a new manager.

Eriksson, managing Ivory Coast at the World Cup, revealed: "I have been a Liverpool fan all of my life.

"I never mentioned it when I was in charge of England because I didn't think it was fair.

"I was shocked when I discovered Rafa Benitez had left.

"Would I want to be the manager of Liverpool? It is every manager's dream to manage Liverpool."

Eriksson began following the Reds as a boy in Sweden. He said: "My father was also a Liverpool supporter and every Saturday we would watch an English match on television. It was the highlight of the week.

"Liverpool matches were televised quite regularly and we would cheer them on.

"They have always been my team and nothing has changed.

"When I was starting out in coaching I was invited to Liverpool to see how they did things. Joe Fagan was the manager at the time.

"I remember him showing me around Anfield and taking me into their legendary boot room.

"It was such a privilege and an honour for me to be invited in there. I will never forget that moment.

"Liverpool will always hold a special place in my heart."

Capello Refuses To Dismiss Dalgish Visit

Fabio Capello has not ruled out the possibility of Kenny Dalglish heading to England's World Cup camp in Rustenburg to speak with Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher about the vacant Liverpool job.

Instinctively, it is something the England boss would shy away from, given the Three Lions have now commenced the build-up to their Group C opener against the United States on June 12.

But he understands why Reds ambassador Dalglish might want to speak with the Anfield outfit's most influential players following Thursday's departure of Rafael Benitez.

It remains highly unlikely Dalglish will commit to such an intrusion.

However, it is not a prospect Capello has dismissed completely.

"We have to decide about this and what happens, yes or no," said the England coach.

"First of all, he (Dalglish) would have to ask me. After that, I would speak with the players."

With Gerrard taking over as captain from the injured Rio Ferdinand, the Italian is confident one of his remaining star men will not be affected.

"Stevie is okay," said Capello.

"He has his telephone and the media are here.

"I know that Liverpool have changed their manager but I don't think it can disturb him.

"It is another thing. We are focused on the World Cup, not club problems.

"We are focused on training every day and that's it. We have other problems without thinking about this one."

Kop Must Flog Unhappy Stars

John Barnes reckons star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres should follow Rafa Benitez out of Liverpool if they are not happy.

The Merseyside giants fear an exodus of top players after boss Benitez was sacked on Thursday.

And Anfield legend Barnes says anyone who wants to go should be allowed to - even if it means losing one of the Kop idols.

Barnes said: "Liverpool don't want Gerrard and Torres to go - but if they don't want to be there, let them move on.

"The fans would have to understand that and still get behind the club.

"Any player who doesn't want to be at Liverpool should go... no matter who they are.

"Look at this history of the club, Kevin Keegan went and people were worried but they got stronger. Kenny Dalglish was a legend but he retired and left and they've gone on and won trophies since then.

"I think there has been too much focus on Gerrard and Torres. They are important players but that affected a lot of the others in the team.

"The more we focus on them, the more we believe we can't compete without them."

Barnes, 46, was talking at an event organised by Coca-Cola and Special Olympics Great Britain to announce six flag-bearers for England's World Cup clash with Algeria on Friday week.

And the former winger who made 407 appearances in a 10-year stint at Liverpool from 1987, fears owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett may have blundered by allowing Benitez to go with the squad in such poor shape.

He said: "I'd like to have seen Rafa stay. If it's true there's no money to spend then whoever comes in will have to work with this set of players.

"If Rafa had stayed I'm sure Liverpool would have finished better than seventh next season.

"But not even Jose Mourinho could win the league with this group of players.

"If there was money to spend you could think it's time for a new start. But if there isn't I can't see the point in changing the manager.

"The assumption is there is no money to spend so there will be no world-class players coming in. So we have to get on with it."

Conflicting Reports Over Rafael Benitez's Inter Link

Inter's coach search is proving less than easy, and even harder for the Italian press to predict as conflicting reports emerge over Rafael Benitez's link with the club.

Benitez terminated his rapport with Liverpool officially on Thursday following a six-year tenure at Anfield. He has long been considered a hot favourite to join Inter. The Italians yesterday confirmed he would be a strong candidate for the role.

But La Gazzetta dello Sport claims he has dropped down Massimo Moratti's list quite considerably. Top of his desires is Turkey coach Guus Hiddink.

Inter are trying to ascertain if they can bring the Dutchman in on a temporary basis - similar to when he juggled jobs between Chelsea and Russia.

Second on the list is former Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean has caught Moratti's eye. It leaves Benitez third on the list.

However, Il Corriere dello Sport are moving in the opposite direction with their news. They claim Benitez is already packing his bags for an eventual arrival at Appiano Gentile - Inter's training ground.

Furthermore, he has already designed his squad list, and will take several stars with him from Liverpool. Benitez has already told Moratti that Maicon is to be shackled to the club, despite the Brazilian publicly stating he wants to play for former boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

According to the Rome-based daily, Javier Mascherano and Dirk Kuyt will follow the Spaniard to San Siro. It is said the midfielder will cost €30 million, and the striker between €15m and €20m.

Xabi Alonso Tries To Tempt Steven Gerrard

Xabi Alonso has told Real Madrid they would be getting an incredible player if they did swoop for Steven Gerrard.

Real are considering taking advantage of the uncertain future at Liverpool following Rafa Benitez’s sacking by launching their £30m bid for the midfielder.

Alonso, who was at Anfield until last summer, has launched a charm offensive to try and woo Gerrard to Spain.

New Real boss Jose Mourinho has always been a massive fan of the Liverpool captain and tried to sign him when he was in charge of Chelsea.

That attempt ended in failure but a £30m bid is on the cards again for the 30-year-old now that Benitez has left Anfield.

And Alonso admits he would love to line-up with Gerrard once again.

He said: “Steven is a legend at Liverpool and I have a lot of respect for Liverpool’s fans and also the club, but it is clear that he’s an awesome player.”

Liverpool FC Deal For Serbian International Milan Jovanovic Is Still On

LIVERPOOL are committed to wrapping up a deal for Milan Jovanovic as they begin the process of rebuilding after the Rafa Benitez era.

The Serbian international has long been on the Reds’ radar and Benitez had laid the groundwork for bringing the versatile striker – he can also play on the left side of midfield – to Anfield on a Bosman this summer.

Terms on a three-year deal were initially agreed with Jovanovic in February and he also passed a stringent medical in London in April – now all that remains for him to become a Liverpool player is the formality of completing a work permit.

Liverpool officials are “confident” that will be wrapped up shortly but the fact that no deal has yet been signed means there is still a possibility that the player could yet decide not to pursue a move to Anfield.

Jovanovic is understood to have expressed some concerns about Benitez’s departure from the Anfield hot seat as one of the reasons he indicated his desire to leave Standard Liege was to work with Benitez.

It must also be stressed, however, that he is overwhelmed by the idea of playing for Liverpool and, on a number of occasions, the 29-year-old has said how he is looking forward to the fact he “will now never walk alone”.

Inevitably, he will have questions to ask regarding what the future holds for the club but Liverpool remain optimistic that they will be in a position to officially announce his arrival in the near future, possibly before the World Cup starts.

As someone who scored 69 times in 146 appearances for Standard Liege – one was a penalty that knocked Everton out of the Europa League in October 2008 – Jovanovic will be an important addition to a squad that lacked striking options last season.

Barcelona Consider Move For Liverpool Striker Fernando Torres

Barcelona are reportedly are weighing up the merits of a move for Liverpool hot-shot Fernando Torres.

The Spain international's future at Anfield looks to be the subject of much speculation after seeing compatriot Rafael Benitez depart the club yesterday following a disappointing season at the helm of the Reds.

Barcelona's interest in Torres is not exactly new as El Nino was already on the Catalan club's agenda last summer, but a transfer never materialised.

Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the 26-year-old striker, who cost Liverpool a fee in the region of €30 million, but it is believed the Blues' preference lies in the shoulders of Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

News daily Sport claims that, after spending €40 million on David Villa of Valencia, Barcelona's move for Torres would always depend on Ibrahimovic being sold first, with the Swedish ace having a €50m price-tag around his neck.

Phil Thompson Urges Liverpool Board To Give Kenny Dalglish A Shot At Manager's Job

Kenny Dalglish should be put in charge of Liverpool until a permanent manager is found, according to former colleague Phil Thompson.

Thompson worked as a coach at Liverpool under Dalglish in the late 80s and reckons the Scot is the ideal replacement for Rafa Benitez.

“Maybe the logical thing is for Kenny Dalglish to take control,” Thompson said to The Times.

“He would do a great job. It would give a sense of stability to the club. Maybe Kenny would not want to entertain it. Whether he would want it, I am not sure. He still has the passion but only he can answer whether he wants it.

"He is an ambassador of the club and it would be a good transition to see it through the present crisis that we have.

"We need some positives and maybe Kenny would be a positive and would unite all – and I mean – all the fans until maybe the club was sold. Someone who the fans can identify with and hopefully unite the club. A safe pair of hands as they call it.”

When asked who he thinks should replace Benitez, Thompson went on to say: "If not Kenny, you are probably looking close to home with Roy Hodgson, Mark Hughes and Martin O’Neill who would see it as a great challenge and a mark on their CV. The club needs to take their time and get this decision right."

And the ex-Liverpool player added he would have preferred that the club had acted at the end of the season in forcing Benitez out.

"I said that this should have been sorted after the Hull game,” he said. "If Rafa was staying on as manager, there is no problem, but tell us so at least the club can move forward and Rafa can look at objectives and players that he wants to bring in and go."

Former Reds defender Mark Lawrenson also believes Dalglish would be the ideal choice to replace Benitez on an interim basis.

"I would have thought Kenny would be heavily involved and quite rightly so - maybe not just in choosing the manager but holding the fort in the meantime,” Lawrenson added.

Liverpool Supporters Burn American Flags Outside Anfield In Protest Against Tom Hicks & George Gillett

Liverpool fans expressed their anger about the way in which the club has been run by burning American flags outside Anfield following the departure of manager Rafael Benitez from his post on Thursday.

Around 500 Reds fans were involved in the protest, which began outside the Kop at around 18:00 GMT and was organized largely through social networking websites.

Protestors were keen to stress that the demonstration was in no way an attempt to persuade the owners to retain Benitez as manager but rather against an ownership regime which has seen debt at the club spiral.

"This is another example of how this club has become the biggest farce in town. In a sense, Benitez is just collateral damage. When you look at Liverpool in a general manner, who will want to take the club on?" Paul Rice, of the supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly, said, according to The Daily Telegraph.

One banner at the protest read: "Thanks Rafa. Purslow $$ Yanks Get Out Now."

Supporters are also believed to be concerned about the role of chairman Martin Broughton in the club's day-to-day running.

Broughton, also chairman of British Airways, has always stressed that his role at the club was non-executive and he was not involved in running the affairs of the club.

Rather his role was created to help facilitate more investment in the club, along with managing director Christian Purslow.

But Purslow is still in post a year on from being appointed, whilst Broughton's name was one of those which appeared on the statement confirming the departure of Benitez.

Liverpool FC In No Rush To Replace Rafa Benitez

Liverpool FC have set no deadline on their search for a new manager following the departure of Rafael Benitez.

The Champions League-winning Spaniard parted company with the Reds by mutual consent on Thursday after six years at the Anfield helm.

Benitez is thought to have agreed a £6million compensation package and attention will now turn to the identity of his successor with Martin O'Neill and Roy Hodgson, managers of Aston Villa and Fulham respectively, among the favourites - while Guus Hiddink, despite his recent appointment as the Turkish national team coach, is also in the frame.

50-year-old Benitez had four years remaining on his contract but has paid the price for the club's disappointing 2009-10 season, in which they finished a disappointing seventh in the Barclays Premier League.

With owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett planning to sell the club, former Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, now an Academy ambassador, could also be a short-term option.

The club have already said Anfield legend Dalglish, manager from 1985-91, will assist managing director Christian Purslow in the recruitment process.

Installing the 59-year-old Scot, widely regarded as the club's greatest ever player, would at least be popular with supporters at a time when confidence in the hierarchy is low.

Fans gathered in numbers on Thursday night to protest against Hicks and Gillett and the regime which has saddled the club with a debt of £351million.

Liverpool Consider Shock Move For Redknapp

Harry Redknapp is a shock contender to become the next Liverpool manager - as Kenny Dalglish draws up a shortlist of names for the Kop post.

The Tottenham boss is much admired by Dalglish, who has been asked by the Anfield owners to find out who wants the job of replacing Rafa Benitez.

Redknapp's stock has never been higher after leading Spurs to the Champions League, a triumph that ironically went a long way to getting Benitez the sack on Merseyside.

And Redknapp could be tempted away from Tottenham, with friends revealing he is upset that White Hart Lane supremo Daniel Levy has not approached him about a longer and improved contract.

However, there is also the lure of Liverpool, who have the kind of big-name history and glamour that Redknapp has always fancied - and at the age of 63 he is unlikely to get one of the established giants calling for him again.

Redknapp could have to uproot from his Dorset base - a domestic problem that has stopped him moving north in the past - but a two-year deal on top money may ease that pain.

And Redknapp can also count on his friendship with Dalglish to help open the door and make him welcome, with friends claiming he is willing to chase the job.

Dalglish is close to Redknapp and was trusted with taking on his son, Jamie, when he started out on his top-flight football career. The families have been tight ever since.

Redknapp was rated the top manager in England last season - with Fulham’s Roy Hodgson also picking up a similar award - and Liverpool could not find a more experienced boss.

The only box he does not tick is his lack of success in Europe, but he has been at clubs where a run in those competitions has been a handicap.

Roy Hodgson Tops Liverpool's List After Rafael Benítez Agrees Exit

Kenny Dalglish is to lead the search for Rafael Benítez's successor as Liverpool manager, with Roy Hodgson and Martin O'Neill among the frontrunners.

Benítez accepted a severance payoff worth a maximum £6m from Liverpool's co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, today, to end a six-year reign that polarised opinion at Anfield.

Dalglish, the revered former Liverpool player and manager and now club ambassador, will assist the managing director, Christian Purslow, in the pursuit of a manager who can restore Liverpool's Champions League status on a limited budget and convince leading players such as Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano not to quit Anfield.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Liverpool over players and the future ownership of the club, with Hicks and Gillett struggling to find a buyer willing to meet their £600m-£800m price, Anfield officials insist they will not rush a decision and can install a long-term appointment.

The leading candidate at present is Hodgson, who has many admirers at Anfield with his European pedigree and recent success at Fulham. The 62-year-old former Internazionale, Switzerland and Blackburn Rovers manager is on a 12-month rolling contract at Craven Cottage and Liverpool are confident he would be receptive to their advances, despite insisting he was fully committed to Fulham after last month's Europa League final defeat to Atlético Madrid.

Another Premier League manager under consideration is O'Neill, although any approach to Aston Villa would be fraught with complications for Liverpool. The Villa owner, Randy Lerner, recently announced the 58-year-old would not be leaving the club for Anfield or any other destination this summer and the Midlanders' stance has not altered. The Villa board is also believed to be confident that problems on and off the field at Liverpool would dissuade O'Neill from starting anew on Merseyside.

Dalglish himself has also been mooted as a possible interim appointment, 19 years after the stresses of the job prompted his departure as Liverpool manager, but it is understood moves for Hodgson and O'Neill take precedence over what would be a remarkable return for the Scot.

Benítez's departure was confirmed this afternoon following a further round of talks between Liverpool directors and the Spaniard's agent, Manuel García Quilón. The position of the former Valencia and now Liverpool manager was made untenable yesterday when, following negotiations between Benítez and the new club chairman, Martin Broughton, the Anfield board offered him a compromise fee of £3m to leave with immediate effect.

Under the terms of the five-year contract signed only last March, Benítez would have been entitled to £16m if sacked by Liverpool this summer. Instead, he agreed to go with an initial £3m severance payment plus the guarantee of a further £3m spread over future dates. It is unknown whether the outspoken critic of the financial restrictions in place at Anfield has signed a confidentiality clause as part of the deal, but Benítez is now free to take a job without Liverpool demanding a compensation fee.

Benítez, an adversary of José Mourinho during their time in the Premier League, could replace the new Real Madrid coach at Internazionale. The president of the reigning European champions, Massimo Moratti, today insisted: "There is nothing new to add at this stage." An Inter director, Gabriele Oriali, however, admitted Benítez is under consideration. "Benítez has a certain affinity with Inter fans. He is very appealing to us," Oriali said. "He has already given us great joy, namely the 2005 Champions League win against Milan. Who does not remember Istanbul? We like him a lot. But the decision will be made by our president, Massimo Moratti."

Liverpool insist there is no timescale on the process to install a replacement for Benítez, and chairman Broughton claimed the decision to dispense with the European Cup winning coach stemmed from the disappointments of last season. "Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul," he said, "but after a disappointing season both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned."

News of Benítez's departure, officially "by mutual consent", provoked an angry protest outside Anfield tonight, where hundreds of Liverpool supporters voiced their support for their former manager and outrage at the ownership of Hicks and Gillett.

Benítez, who is on holiday in Sardinia, said: "It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC. I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts. I'll always keep in my heart the good times I've had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool. I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager. Thank you so much once more and always remember: You'll never walk alone."

Liverpool Midfielder Alberto Aquilani Linked With Inter Switch

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani could be set to return to Serie A with treble winners Inter, according to tuttomercatoweb.

The playmaker transferred to Anfield from Roma last summer for a fee of £20 million, but he spent plenty of time on the sidelines and was then used as a rotation player unable to live up to the potential he showed with the Giallorossi.

The 25-year-old's link to the Nerazzurri is interesting, since his former boss at Liverpool Rafa Benitez has been widely tipped to take over the vacant bench after Jose Mourinho's departure to Real Madrid. Once Aquilani recovered from injury, the tactician often used him as a rotation player, rather than a regular member of the starting XI.

The midfielder could leave the Premier League club for around half the price he was bought, if rumours are to be believed.

France International Midfielder Moussa Sissoko Chased By Liverpool, Tottenham & Lyon

Toulouse youngster Moussa Sissoko continues to court interest from around Europe, though talk of a move to the Premier League has escalated, with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur continuing to lead the chase from England, while Olympique Lyonnais maintain a French interest in the dynamic midfielder.

According to Le Parisien, Sissoko has a release clause set at a value of €20 million, which could be triggered by any of the aforementioned sides, though the 20-year-old would appear to be outside the reach of OL, who have a €25m budget to sign around three players this summer.

Les Gones have already taken a serious interest in the central player previously, having seriously courted him during the last winter window. A move abroad now seems more likely for the Paris-born player, whose style has seen him compared to Mouhamadou Diarra and Patrick Vieira.

Sissoko has been involved at first team level in the Pink City in each of the last three seasons, but this campaign marked something of a breakout. In addition to playing all but one fixture and scoring seven goals, the midfielder also won two caps for France.

A host of European clubs, including Juventus, have previously been associated with the midfielder.

Gerrard To Get England Armband

Steven Gerrard is set to captain England at the World Cup after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out with a knee injury.

Reports coming from the Three Lions camp in Rustenburg say Ferdinand will miss out on South Africa altogether after suffering ligament damage to his left knee in training.

It means vice-captain Gerrard will take the armband - while Jamie Carragher could also feature more heavily as a result.

Though Gerrard will be gutted for his international teammate, he will no doubt be relishing the opportunity to become only the second England skipper to lift the World Cup after Bobby Moore in 1966.

Liverpool Cannot Be Sure Of Attracting Top Candidates To Replace Rafael Benítez

As Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow and Kenny Dalglish begin the search for a new manager they can expect to face the same opening question from every serious candidate: who am I going to be working for?

For now the answer will be, “Don’t know”. Liverpool is for sale, but if there is one thing that Rafael Benítez’s abrupt ejection this week tells us it is that a deal is not imminent. As long as there was a prospect of a prompt exit for Tom Hicks and George Gillett, it made sense for the club to retain Benítez, leaving his future and the terms of any settlement to a new buyer.

But with no prospect of a deal before the start of the new season, and possibly not before the end of the year, it was left to the current board to make a call on the Spaniard’s future.

The uncertainty over the ownership is unlikely to end any time soon. To appease RBS, holders of the club’s £237 million loan, investment bank Barclays Capital was appointed alongside new chairman Martin Broughton in April to help find a buyer.

Progress has been slow, however, with the club not significantly closer to finding a buyer than it was when Hicks and Gillett were pursuing investors individually.

Price may yet be a barrier to a deal, though Hicks’s recent £600 million-plus public valuation will privately be tempered by realism and a respect for the verdict of the market.

Whatever the final figure it will have to reflect the club’s liabilities, which swell to £351 million when the owners’ shareholder loans are included.

Nor is the wider economic climate helpful. The days of trophy-asset hunting are, for now, over and any investor will have as much concern for the bottom line as the reflected glory of owning Liverpool.

Persuading a manager on an upward curve to take the post will be a challenge. Only short-term contracts will be on the table, and the lack of clarity over future investment may rule out candidates who can equal Benítez’s CV when he took over in 2004.

High-quality managers would certainly want an increase on the £15 million transfer budget promised by Hicks and Gillett.

That said, they would inherit a talented squad, featuring two of the world’s best players if Gerrard and Torres can be persuaded to remain and be at a club generating more revenue than it ever has, exceeded only by Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Plenty of managers would bite your hand off for that. The question for Liverpool is whether the very best will be tempted.

After Rafa Benitez's Departure, Kenny Dalglish And Christian Purslow Begin Search For El Dorado

Compass? Check. Map of Europe? Check. One-month inter-rail pass? Check. And so the time has come for Kenny Dalglish, the king become kingmaker, and Christian Purslow, Liverpool’s managing director, to set off across the continent in search of the man who can fill Rafael Benitez’s suede brogues.

He must be experienced, established, stable, capable of dragging Liverpool back to a semblance of normality after the fevered madness of the last six months. He must have a good reputation in Europe, a tactical brain which is capable of outfoxing his peers in Madrid (not Real, just Atletico, at this stage) as easily as those in Manchester (City, probably, rather than United, in Liverpool’s world of realigned priorities).

Oh, and he must be willing to work on the pittance handed down to him by his absentee American overlords, he must not complain when they remove money which was promised to him for the transfer market, he must enjoy seeing the goalposts shift almost at random depending on whichever rules Tom Hicks and George Gillett are playing by this week and he must radiate the warmth of a thousand suns so as to illuminate the cosseted lives of multi-millionaire footballers. He must also win the approval of Jamie Redknapp, arbiter of excellence.

It is no easy task. Perhaps, in their quest, Dalglish and Purslow may like to take in two scenes visited by the last pair to undertake quite such an unrealistic search for El Dorado, the optimist Candide and his philosopher-guide Pangloss. You know, the man whose doctrine stated that all must be for the best since this is the best of all possible worlds.

They could go to Lisbon, for the promising Jorge Jesus, or Constantinople (now Istanbul) for Frank Rijkaard, the former Barcelona manager currently with Galatasaray. Maybe Manuel Pellegrini or Guus Hiddink?

The problem with all four, though, is that the only attractive thing about Liverpool at the moment is the club’s name, and that may not be enough to tempt a Portuguese, a Dutchman or a Chilean, so deep-seated are the scars continually being scoured into the Liverpool’s reputation by Hicks and Gillett.

Instead, Purslow and Dalglish may find the inter-railing ticket ditched in favour of an Apex super-saver return to Birmingham, to speak with Martin O’Neill, or to Lancashire, where Mark Hughes watches and waits. Neither, though, fit the apparent criteria. One is notably irascible, and the other boasts a playing CV which includes the four words which should rule any manager out of the running: “Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton.”

Instead, Liverpool’s head-hunters may find themselves in London, attempting to pick up the most likely and best-suited candidate. Experienced, established, stable and proven in Europe, Roy Hodgson appears to fit the bill more than most.

He is due a high-profile job with which to end a career spent in the shadows. He plays attractive football, and he will not expect a fortune to spend on players. True, his palmares are hardly dripping with honours – two UEFA Cup runners-up slots are the best he can offer among the world’s most illustrious competitions – but then perhaps Liverpool are not looking for a golden one. In their reduced circumstances, all Purslow and Dalglish can hope for is a silver medal.

Anfield Politics, Not Results Caused Rafael Benítez's Liverpool Downfall

Benítez was the victim of Liverpool's financial problems but flawed signings made him partly responsible for his exit.

Were it simply a football decision, a detached analysis of where Liverpool should be in the midst of a debt-ridden power vacuum, then Rafael Benítez, for the many faults, facts and suspect full-backs, would not be leaving Anfield with a lucrative pay-off. But it is not simply football that has done for Benítez.

It is the politicking that is as much a feature of the Spaniard's managerial career as European expertise and the misfortune to fall into the employ of Tom Hicks and George Gillett. The leverage buy-out experts promised a spade in the ground for a new stadium within 60 days of their arrival in February 2007 but have only dug the hole into which Benítez has now fallen. He moved closer to the exit with every refinancing deal the Americans secured while his reputation inevitably suffered with every transfer window without additional funds. Not that Benítez walks away blameless.

In announcing the end of the manager's six-year reign Martin Broughton, the chairman parachuted into Liverpool from British Airways to lend gravitas to the sale of the club, and who could not attend the final home game of last season due to his Chelsea allegiances, stresses that football was behind the departure. No one would dispute Broughton's analysis of the "disappointing season" just gone but this was one dreadful campaign following five seasons of steady progress. The man who delivered Liverpool's fifth European Cup in such miraculous style in 2005 and the FA Cup a year later had enough goodwill left on the Kop to be allowed a shot at redemption. Circumstances inside the club, many Benítez-created, however, ensured that could never happen.

It was only November 2007 when confirmation of an approach to Jürgen Klinsmann from Hicks and Gillett brought Liverpool supporters on to the streets in support of the former Valencia coach. On the back of two Champions League finals in three seasons, FA Cup success and the astute purchases of Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and José Reina, Benítez was untouchable in Anfield eyes. An Indian sign over José Mourinho's Chelsea in Europe didn't damage his cause either. His own discontent with the inner-workings of a club without the stadiums or resources of their main Premier League rivals was already surfacing, however.

The morning after defeat to Milan in the 2007 Champions League final brought the first evidence of Benítez the agitator in Liverpool colours. He left Valencia owing to boardroom interference and transfer restrictions, famously stating: "I asked for a table and they brought me a lampshade." He had earlier fallen out with Jorge Valdano at Real Madrid over his input into the youth team. Now he was voicing frustrations inside Anfield. Prevarication on transfers, an underachieving commercial operation, lack of progress with a new stadium and being pressured to keep pace with clubs who could afford to make £20m mistakes on players; his protests were set to repeat until today's exit.

Benítez's motivations were to improve Liverpool but, having won the battle to oust Rick Parry as chief executive and also secured a lucrative five-year contract with no release clause that also ceded to him control of an unproductive youth academy, he consolidated his own authority in the process. That left him exposed should Liverpool falter, and the Americans' financial problems combined with several expensive transfer mistakes made for a fatal concoction last season.

The now former Liverpool manager justifiably raged against having to sell players before he could buy in recent windows, particularly with his squad finally emerging as genuine title contenders in 2009. In that restricted climate, however, he erred badly in marginalising Xabi Alonso and compounded the problem by replacing him with Alberto Aquilani, a talented midfielder no doubt but not, as he recovered from ankle surgery, the player needed to enhance Liverpool's title credentials.

Starved of funds but not, until now, the will to fight, Benítez refused to be silenced on the financial problems, and relationships with the boardroom continued to fracture until the point where he had little support above him. Liverpool could not start next season with the same dysfunctional power structure in place and, with no sign of Hicks and Gillett selling up, the manager became increasingly isolated.

The value of today's Liverpool squad is vastly superior to the one Benítez inherited in 2004 and may be the commodity that has prevented the Royal Bank of Scotland taking more drastic action against Hicks and Gillett. Perversely, however, Benítez inherited a Champions League team from Gérard Houllier and a ticket to his finest hour, the victory that guarantees allegiance among many supporters to this day, in Istanbul the following May. His successor is bequeathed a pass to the Europa League and a team that could struggle to emulate last season's seventh place finish should Steven Gerrard and Torres decide they have witnessed enough false promises and turn the Anfield exit into a revolving door.

Before Benítez bit the bullet there were reports the Liverpool board were forced to act by a threatened dressing-room revolt should the manager stay. Gerrard, Torres and others, so the line goes, have questioned Benítez's management following the last, miserable season. Who hasn't? What is more pertinent to the futures of Liverpool's finest players – many of whom are aggrieved their names have been dragged into the argument – is the direction the club is taking and its ability to strengthen the squad to compete for the top honours once again.

These were the very same assurances that Benítez wanted to hear in his recent meetings with Broughton. Unable to grant them, due to the on-going uncertainty at the top of the club, the Liverpool chairman was left facing a manager disillusioned with financial constraints, in dispute with most of the Anfield hierarchy and accepting that something had to give. That it was him, and not the American co-owners who are the root cause of Liverpool's implosion, will be a source of immense pain for Benítez.

Liverpool Sack Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez’s Anfield reign is over.

The decision was taken to sack the Liverpool manager after the club board came to the conclusion he had lost the dressing room.

Player power proved his downfall after several of the Reds’ biggest stars, including Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, made clear their loss of faith in the manager.

Some had even stated privately that they would leave if Benitez stayed.

Benitez, who is on holiday in Sardinia, was hanging on only to negotiate his payoff. He has a £16million clause in his contract that must be paid in full if he is dismissed, and the only detail left to be finalised late last night was just how much of that money he would receive.

The Spanish coach could walk straight into another job after his dismissal at Anfield, with Inter Milan keen to make him the replacement for treble-winning manager Jose Mourinho.

And Liverpool have already drawn up a short-list of possible replacements for Benitez, with the highly respected Roy Hodgson and Louis Van Gaal topping the candidates, along with Benfica manager Jorge Jesus, and - before he accepted the Italy job - Cesare Prandelli of Fiorentina.

Sammy Lee, the current assistant manager of the Reds, will step in as a caretaker in the short-term, until a replacement is announced, with the club hoping to find a successor in the next few weeks.

Benitez has presided over a disastrous season, losing 19 matches and seeing his side slip to seventh place in the table, which has caused major damage to the club’s precarious finances.

More seriously though, he lost the support of senior players at the club, with top stars like Torres, Gerrard, Carragher, Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun offering public displays of their lack of belief in the manager.

The board was left with the painful decision of choosing between Benitez and their world class players, and in the end they decided they simply couldn’t trust the manager to spend the money that would be raised by the sale of so many big names.

The five-man Liverpool board made the unanimous decision over the weekend, and they also have the backing of chairman Martin Broughton, who is thought to believe that the club can only move forward by bringing stability to the football side of the club.

Benitez has always been a highly skilled political operator, and his tenure in the final two years was punctuated by an increasingly fraught situation at Anfield, where he was fighting against his own board and his own team.

The directors have decided that situation can’t be allowed to go on any longer, and they will now move quickly to appoint a more statesmanlike manager who can work with colleagues.

The new boss WILL be given money to spend, with around £20million set aside for new players, with a guarantee, too, that any money from sales will be used solely for recruitment.

The likes of Albert Riera, Ryan Babel, Alberto Aquilani and Benayoun could all be sold to raise another £25m or so, and several fringe players will also be sacrificed, to generate a kitty that could be as much as £50m.

Talks will proceed swiftly over a replacement, with Hodgson’s calm approach sure to make him among the favourites, given the turmoil that has engulfed Liverpool in recent seasons.

Benitez has been exploring possible escape routes over the past six months, and he came close to joining Juventus at the end of the season, until the Italians got a new president who favoured a home-grown boss.

But Inter remains a strong possibility, especially given the news in the past two days that their first choice - Fabio Capello - looks likely to remain with England.

This week, the Milan club’s president Massimo Moratti confirmed he is an admirer of the Spaniard, when he said:

“Benitez is a man I’ve always considered very good, but for the moment he is engaged.”

The Reds boss still wants a pay off, and he was juggling those balls last night, as he prepared to accept a lower compensation figure to ensure he remains in the running for the Inter job.

Benitez though, has certain reservations about following Mourinho - one of his biggest enemies in football - but now that he can no longer remain with Liverpool he may feel he has no other choice but to take the poisoned chalice of following the special one.