Liverpool On Course To Appoint Hodgson Next Week

Kenny Dalglish has held talks with former Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini over the past few days, but MirrorFootball can reveal the Anfield club are still confident of landing Roy Hodgson.

The Fulham boss refused to be drawn on the subject when he appeared as a pundit on BBC1's coverage of Mexico's 2-0 World Cup victory over France.

When asked about his future, Hodgson said: I'm Fulham manager. I'm perfectly happy at Fulham. To be honest there's a lot of speculation but I can't enlighten you."

However, MirrorFootball understands that Liverpool insiders hope Hodgson can be appointed at Anfield as early as Thursday or Friday of next week.

Manuel Pellegrini's agent denied his client had met with Dalglish at Heathrow airport, but the 56 year-old was in England yesterday and is believed not just to have linked up with Liverpool's king-maker, but also to have expressed an interest in the job.

The Chilean was replaced by Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid last month after failing to secure major domestic or Euorpean honours in his first - and only - season in charge at the Bernabeu.

Liverpool Talk To Manuel Pellegrini Over Vacant Manager's Job

Manuel Pellegrini, the former Real Madrid coach, has held talks with Kenny Dalglish over the managerial vacancy at Liverpool despite Roy Hodgson remaining the club's preferred candidate to succeed Rafael Benítez at Anfield.

Pellegrini was dismissed by Real last month for failing to deliver in the Champions League or beat Barcelona to the title, although he did produce a club record 96 points during his one and only season at the Bernabéu. The Chilean's agent last night denied reports that the 56-year-old met Dalglish at Heathrow airport but Pellegrini was in England yesterday and did meet the Liverpool legend who is overseeing the search for Benítez's replacement alongside the managing director, Christian Purslow. Dalglish has told the Liverpool board that he would like the job in the absence of any superior candidates.

Negotiations with Pellegrini, who worked with the Liverpool goalkeeper José Reina during a successful five-year spell in charge of Villarreal, reveal that Anfield officials are working through a short-list of candidates to succeed Benítez, although it is understood Hodgson remains top of that list. The Fulham manager has yet to receive an official approach from Liverpool and last night reaffirmed his contentment at Craven Cottage from South Africa, where he is commentating for the BBC.

Asked about Liverpool's interest, Hodgson said: "I'm happy at Fulham. It is all speculation and I can't enlighten you. I don't know any more than you do." An official move for Hodgson from Liverpool is anticipated next week however.

Reina Worried About Stars

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina admits he is concerned over the futures of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

The star pair have been linked with moves away from Anfield this summer, as both Torres and Gerrard are reportedly considering their positions because of the problems affecting the club off the field.

Reds owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are in the process of trying to sell the club, and are unlikely to bankroll major transfer activity before the start of next season.

Reina is hoping Spain striker Torres and England captain Gerrard stay on Merseyside, and admits it would be a big blow if they were to leave.

"Of course there is concern about Fernando and Stevie," he said.

"Any team would count on them and for us it's the same. Without them, it will be really tough to be up there at the top.

"Fingers crossed, once we sort out the situation with the manager and the owners, which we hope is soon, hopefully we can focus on building a squad.

"We are all on the same boat and we want to redecorate the ship."

Former manager Rafa Benitez has recently left Anfield to take the reins at Italian club Inter Milan.

Reina was sad to see his Spanish compatriot leave Liverpool, but is now philosophical about his departure.

He added: "I've had time to think about it and I guess it's one of those things.

"Football is football, it happens, and I always say the same thing - Liverpool will remain forever, which is the most important thing."

Liverpool FC Face Fixture Congestion At Start Of 2010-11 season

Liverpool will face an early-season fixture pile up as their bid for European glory is forced to take the long route.

The Anfield outfit, who are still searching for a new manager following the departure of Rafael Benitez, will kick-off their Premier League campaign at home to Arsenal on August 14, although they will expect the fixture or kick-off time to be moved to accommodate the demands of satellite television.

Providing Liverpool have negotiated the earlier Europa League third qualifying round ties on July, 29 and August 5, with the draw made on July 16, they will play the first leg of their Europa League play-off five days after the visit of Arsene Wenger’s men on August, 19.

The European return leg comes a week later, with a trip to Manchester City sandwiched in between on Saturday, August 21.

Then, just two days after the second Europa League leg, promoted West Bromwich Albion are the visitors to Merseyside, though again Liverpool are likely to find that match moved back a day to the Sunday given their continental excursions.

If successful in the Europa League play-off, the Anfield side will qualify for the Group Stage of the UEFA competition which starts on Thursday, September 16, two days before a trip to Old Trafford.

The 214th Merseyside derby will take place at Goodison on October 16, with the Anfield return on January 15.

Jose Mourinho Considering £15m Move For Liverpool Defender Glen Johnson

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is set to offer Liverpool £15 million for England defender Glen Johnson.

The Treble-winning manager at Inter Milan is hoping to add an elite right-back to his squad at Real and Johnson is among the candidates being considered, according to The Sun.

Mourinho’s top target is Brazil international Maicon, who was a critical contributor in the former Chelsea manager's historic season with Inter.

However, new Inter manager Rafael Benitez is keen to keep the star right-back and Mourinho could be forced to look at other options at right-back.

The 25-year-old England defender played for Mourinho at Chelsea but the Portuguese boss sold him to Portsmouth for £6 million about a month before he left the club in 2007.

Two years after leaving Chelsea, Johnson came to Liverpool in an £18 million deal with Pompey and since then the defender has cemented a place in England’s starting XI.

Javier Mascherano's Agent Reveals Inter Contact

The agent of Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has admitted Inter are ready to begin negotiations to bring the Argentine to the Giuseppe Meazza.

Mario Piccioli revealed that he has already spoken with Nerazzurri director Marco Branca over the telephone.

"With Inter, we have been in contact, but have not met Marco Branca personally," Piccioli told Itasportpress.it. "We have only spoken on the phone.

"There is nothing new to report. It is not a mystery that our player is coveted by the Nerazzurri and Rafa Benitez, but were are only at the preliminary stages at the moment.

"In the coming days we will schedule a new meeting to discuss some more details," he concluded.

Liverpool FC Owners Tom Hicks And George Gillett Branded ‘Asset Strippers’

The American owners of Liverpool Football Club have been labelled “asset strippers” by an MP in the House of Commons.

Labour’s Steve Rotheram, MP for Liverpool Walton, used his maiden speech in the Commons on Thursday to claim the actions of George Gillett and Tom Hicks “threatened the club’s existence”.

In a separate Commons motion he has accused the pair of failing “to exercise responsible stewardship of the club”.

The Americans, who bought the Reds in 2007, recently announced their intention to sell the club, which is £351 million in debt.

Mr. Rotheram, an Anfield season-ticket holder, said: “England’s most successful football club is slowly being drained by the greed of two American asset strippers and this is having a negative impact on regeneration projects for the whole area.”

Gerrard: It's A Pity He's A Manchester United Fan

Steven Gerrard has spoken of his pride at the news that world record breaking sprinter Usain Bolt has requested a replica kit signed by the England and Liverpool captain. The treble Olympic gold medallist, who is a well-known Manchester United fan, is understood to have been impressed by the dynamic midfielder’s contribution to the Three Lions opening World Cup match against the USA.

Gerrard put his poor domestic form for Liverpool behind him to score England’s first goal of the tournament after only four minutes last Saturday and will now look to lead Fabio Capello’s men to three points against Algeria on Friday. The Anfield hero inherited the national team captaincy from Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand after the centre-back was ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury.

Speaking of his admiration for Bolt, but showing open disdain for the sprinter’s Manchester United fanaticism, Liverpool hero Gerrard stated:

"I'd heard Usain Bolt was a big football fan and it was really flattering that he wanted my shirt.

"I'm just disappointed I haven't got his pace. Usain is an athlete I really look up to.

"It's a pity he's a Manchester United fan though. I was going to ask him to one of our training sessions when he's in England but I might not bother now.

"Seriously, as a sprinter he's the man, isn't he? He's a winner, an inspiration and someone I love watching."

Meanwhile, Gerrard’s future at Liverpool remains under a cloud with the player refusing to talk about his future on Merseyside until the end of the World Cup. Inter Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all thought to be tracking the player after Rafael Benitez’s departure from the Anfield hot seat threw the club into further disarray.

Milan Not Inter €30m Price

We've all, more or less, accepted that Javier Mascherano will leave Liverpool this summer, as we had around this time about a year ago when Barcelona were stalking him. Rafa managed to keep the midfielder at Anfield however a year, and a Rafa less Liverpool, later this is looking increasingly unlikely to be the case this summer. The Argentina captain's agent has already told the tabloids that it's almost certain that Mascherano will join Inter Milan to be reunited with Rafa again.

Mascherano wants to go, from the looks of things, and if this is what he wants to do then we've got to let him do this. Dumb and Dumber will be happy with this as well, not that it makes our search for a new Boss any easier if we're selling our best players before they even get into the hot seat. However if these players want to leave then we've got to let them leave, it would be nice if the new Boss was given some of this money instead of the American's gobbling this up to pay off their own debts!

The sticking point with Mascherano’s move to the Italian side seems to be the price. The Reds are believed to want €30 (more or less what was being asked last summer, minimum) however this is more than Inter want to pay. Further talks between all parties are believed to be taking place again next week so another long drawn out transfer saga like his on off move to Barcelona last summer, and Xabi Alonso's eventual move to Real Madrid, seems most likely again though. This'll be fun.

Benitez: I Left Liverpool On Good Terms

New Inter Milan boss Rafa Benitez has insisted that he still has a good relationship with his former Liverpool players and that he left the club on good terms.

Benitez left Liverpool by mutual consent after a poor season which saw them only qualify for the Europa League by virtue of Portsmouth's inability to compete in Europe while in administration.

But Benitez, who replaces Jose Mourinho as coach of the Nerrazzuri, said: "I had contact with 95% of the players (after I left). Everything was fine, very good messages, very positive messages.

"The relationship is really good with the majority. Maybe you have some members of the team who are not happy, but it has been good. The club was fantastic, the fans were amazing, so it was a sad day when I had to go. But things change so I had to do it.

"I was in contact with (Steven) Gerrard when it was his birthday and everything was fine. It was good. He was trying to focus on the World Cup."

Real Madrid Drop Interest In Liverpool Skipper Steven Gerrard In Favour Of Daniele De Rossi

Real Madrid have been dissuaded by the asking price for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and have instead switched their attention to Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, according to a report from Spanish daily AS.

The Reds are apparently after a 'Galactico' style deal for Gerrard, with his price tag set significantly higher than the £29 million (€35m) the Spanish outfit paid for Xabi Alonso last summer.

That has made the Madrid side reconsider making a move for Gerrard, with De Rossi now favoured as a cheaper alternative.

De Rossi scored ten goals for Roma last season and netted Italy's equaliser against Paraguay in their opening game of the World Cup in South Africa.

Inter President Massimo Moratti To Meet £25m Target Javier Mascherano's Minders Next Week Ahead Of Liverpool Bid

Inter president Massimo Moratti has set the wheels in motion to sign Liverpool hard man Javier Mascherano by arranging a meeting with his minders.

Argentina's World Cup captain was brought to Merseyside by new Inter head coach Rafael Benitez in 2007 and he is determined to have a reunion in Italy. A price tag of £25 million has already been set and the 26-year-old is reported to have begun Italian lessons.

According to Sky Sports Italia, Moratti has arranged a meeting with Mascherano's representatives for next week where initial details over his personal terms will be agreed. Whether the debt-laden Anfield club will be able to resist a big-money bid is yet to be seen.

Glen Johnson Puts Faith In England Manager Fabio Capello

Glen Johnson believes Fabio Capello’s single-mindedness will prove crucial in helping England negotiate their way into the World Cup’s knockout stages.

England left their training base in Sun City today to fly down to Cape Town for tomorrow night’s crucial Group C clash with Algeria.

Having drawn their opening fixture 1-1 with the USA – and seen Slovenia steal a march with a 1-0 win over the Algerians – England have little room for manoeuvre.

Capello has come in for criticism on a number of issues in the time since that game, largely down to the fact he did not name his team until two hours before kick-off.

Liverpool right-back Johnson, though, has revealed that Capello will not let any outside factors distract his approach – and that is why he is confident England will continue to progress.

“He is a very good manager and a nice man,” said Johnson, who was outstanding against the USA in Rustenberg.

“He is well aware of what he wants to do and he knows how to do it. He knows how to get the job done and is definitely a manager at the top of his game.

“Every kid dreams of playing for England in the World Cup so what I am doing now is a dream come true. There are a lot of good teams and every game is difficult.

“The further we go in the tournament, the better we will be. We just need to concentrate on playing the way we think we can and see what happens.”

Martin Skrtel Tells Of World Cup Heartache

Crestfallen Martin Skrtel has revealed his disappointment after an opening World Cup match draw with New Zealand.

The Slovakian defender was helpless as Winston Reid’s 94th minute header cancelled out Robert Vittek’s early second half opener to give the underdogs their first ever point in competition.

Slovakia had dominated a poor game and looked sure to kick-start their Group F campaign with three points but with seconds remaining Reid popped up to leave Liverpool’s Skrtel bitterly upset.

However the 25-year-old remained bullish his national side would make amends from the set-back when facing Paraguay in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon.

Skrtel said: “Obviously we are very disappointed. They had maybe two clear chances and they scored with the final whistle.

“Unfortunately it was the same thing as against Cameroon (in a World Cup preparation game which also ended 1-1). We didn’t give them a lot of space. It was not an excellent performance but this is how you play in the World Cup. It is the result that counts.

“It would have been a huge step forward but we didn’t manage to hold on to three points. Nothing is lost though.

“It hurts today but we have two more matches to play in our group. We were very disappointed but, as I said, we have to go on.”

Meanwhile, England right-back Glen Johnson has told of his delight at being with the squad in South Africa.

“Every kid dreams of playing in the World Cup so it is a dream come true,” he said.

Liverpool FC Banner Destroyed By FIFA

Liverpool fans campaigning for the removal of George Gillett and Tom Hicks were shocked and angered after a banner was destroyed by FIFA officials at a World Cup game last weekend.

The flag, seized by officials at Durban Stadium on Sunday evening, was part of an internet-based awareness campaign opposing the club's ownership by the Americans, who have saddled the Reds with debts in excess of £351million since seizing control in 2007.

Stewards confiscated and destroyed the inoffensive flag taken into the stadium by Nadeem Khan, a member of the South African Liverpool Supporters Club, proclaiming 'Save Liverpool FC - Hicks and Gillett out' during to the game between Germany and Australia.

The 29-year-old was told by representatives of world football's governing body that the flag contravened their rules against obscene or vulgar images being displayed at games, despite no such guidelines existing in FIFA's ticketing terms and conditions.

He said: "I then went to the second level of the stadium as soon the kick-off whistle sounded to hang up my banner with the rest of the team supporters’ ones there.

"Then I went back to my seat at the lower level and constantly gazed up to check on the banner, it was around the 27th minute of the game that I looked up and to my horror there were three security officials removing the banner from the rail.

"I immediately got up to approach to the officers but I was confronted by two officials as soon as I stood up and asked to go to the security office.

"On my arrival there I was met by two other supervisors, both European and they showed me to a camera where they had recorded me. They had traced me from the time I got to the stadium until the time they called me.

"They saw the banner on live game footage and apparently had to remove it because FIFA's rules state that no material bearing obscene or vulgar images is to be displayed at their events.

"I pleaded my case then gave in after no joy and asked for the banner back so that I may keep it away, but they refused to return it to me. One steward sliced the banner up with his Stanley blade"

Nadeem, who had travelled to the game from Pietermaritzburg with his wife and child, had his phone searched as part of a crackdown on hooliganism and was warned that he would be closely monitored at future games he will be attending throughout the tournament.

"They then started lecturing me on football hooliganism and what charges they can issue against me and went through the call list on my phone," he added.

"My ticket number was recorded on their computer and they showed me all the games that I would be attending and how they will keep a close eye on me.

"By the time I returned to my seat Germany scored their fourth goal so I took my stuff and left with my wife and child who were terrified, not knowing what was going on.

"I only stopped shaking when I got back to Pietermaritzburg which is over 85 kilometres away."

Alan Cooper, one of Save Liverpool FC's co-ordinators, confirmed that the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) are investigating why FIFA took such stringent against Mr Khan for displaying the banner.

He said: "We want an explanation from FIFA why a guy who was with his wife and kid was accused of being a hooligan and treated so badly.

"We understand them taking the banner down but I'd like to know why it was destroyed in front of him.

"The sensible thing to do would be to keep hold of the banner until the end of the game and then hand it back to him."

A FIFA spokesman confirmed to Click Liverpool that they were aware of the incident and "will revert in due course."

Two Irish fans were threatened with imprisonment for displaying an inoffensive flag during France's game with Uruguay last Friday whilst Americans were also threatened with jail terms for holding up a banner claiming, 'Wayne Bridge for USA' during their clash with England.

FIFA have been condemned by football fans worldwide for their censorship of this summer's tournament after they ejected 36 Holland fans from yesterday's 2-0 win over Denmark for wearing mini-dresses designed by Dutch brewer Bavaria, citing "ambush marketing".

Local businesses in South Africa have been banned from using the phrase 'World Cup 2010' unless they are officially recognised partners of the tournament whilst locally-made products are forbidden unlike FIFA's officially licensed merchandise, which was all made in Taiwan.

Rafael Benitez Has Only Added To The Managerial Confusion At Liverpool

Rafael Benitez's parting comments about Liverpool and who should replace him are extremely intriguing.

The new Inter Milan manager, who was released from his Liverpool contract with a £6 million pay-off a fortnight ago, outlined at his Inter unveiling that he believes Kenny Dalglish should be his successor. But does Benitez really mean it?

"I think they should look at Kenny Dalglish," he said. "He is the best man for the job. The owners should listen to the fans because they are unhappy.

"No one knows the club better than Dalglish and he would be perfect there. He wants the job and in my opinion should get it."

However, the internal wranglings at Anfield over the last 18 months mean the departed manager's words have to be treated with a note of caution.

It is no secret that Benitez and the Liverpool board could not stand the sight of each other towards the end of his tenure.

Benitez was as much to blame as anyone else for the poisonous atmosphere among the Liverpool hierachy as he could not resist becoming involved in the back-biting and walking through the uber-political minefield that is the Merseyside club at present.

Do not discount the possibility that Benitez's praise for King Kenny is one last dig at his previous employers.

The Liverpool board have made it clear that Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is their preferred candidate for the managerial position and, although Dalglish is a club legend, they do not consider he is the right man for the job.

However, there is an increasing clamour among the Reds' supporters for Dalglish to be put in charge - perhaps only in the interim - to try and steady the ship.

Benitez's comments are only likely to quicken the momentum behind the Dalglish campaign and put the Liverpool board in an even more difficult and unpopular position that it currently finds itself in.

To ignore Dalglish, particularly after the "endorsement" of the still popular Benitez, would simply prove to many fans that Liverpool do not listen or do not care about the wishes of their fans - and that is the last thing the club need at the moment.

He may have left Anfield and be in charge of the current Champions League winners, but it would appear that Benitez's ability to undermine and confuse matters on Merseyside remains as strong as ever.

Liverpool Must Realise That Roy Hodgson Will Not Wait Forever

If Liverpool do want Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, to be the long-term replacement for Rafa Benitez, as is looking increasingly likely, then they have a strange way of showing it.

Sources at Anfield have insisted for almost a fortnight that Hodgson is the preferred candidate to succeed Benitez, who has since moved to Champions League winners Inter Milan where he was unveiled as new manager this morning.

Hodgson, so the theory went and the sources suggested, was the perfect man for the Anfield hotseat for several reasons.

Firstly, he would not interfere with Liverpool's catastrophic boardroom situation in the same way that chief agitator Benitez did and Hodgson was also deemed to be dignified and calm enough to bring an element of stability to the club.

With £350m worth of debt and with co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks desperate to sell up, Liverpool certainly require a figurehead who will quell the unrest among the fans as well as get Liverpool playing winning football again and Hodgson appeared to tick all those boxes.

He was still being pushed forward as the first choice even after club legend Kenny Dalglish revealed last week that he would love another go at the Liverpool managerial post, 11 years after his last day-to-day job in the game.

For Hodgson to still be ahead of King Kenny just goes to show how desired the Fulham manager is by the Liverpool hierachy.

Or is he?

Because, as of yet, Liverpool have hardly been falling over themselves to woo him.

A Fulham spokesman has confirmed that nobody from Anfield has been in touch and the man himself is currently said to be frustrated that his future remains uncertain.

Hodgson wanted any deal with Liverpool to be agreed before he left England for a spot of punditry at the World Cup but that has not happened and Liverpool's reticence may just come back to haunt them.

Why should Hodgson, at 62 and with 25-years of managerial experience behind him hang around forever for Liverpool to approach him?

Hodgson is adored by Fulham's fans, he has a chairman inMohamed Al-Fayed who has admitted he will give him "anything he wants" in order to try and keep hold of him and the job Hodgson has done at Craven Cottage has been widely saluted throughout the Premier League, indeed throughout Europe.

If Liverpool are not careful, he may just start thinking he is too happy in London, too old to be messed about and too sensible to get embroiled in the current continued drama on Merseyside.

Liverpool Expect Star To Leave Club This Summer

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun is expected to leave Anfield this summer but the club have yet to receive an approach for the Israel international.

Reports suggesting the Reds have agreed a £6million deal with Chelsea are premature but the Merseysiders are resigned to the fact the 30-year-old will leave and accept it is only a matter of time before an offer comes in.

Benayoun signed an improved contract only last year but even before the departure of manager Rafael Benitez earlier this month he had already dropped several hints he wanted to leave.

Back on May 2, after the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea at Anfield, the Israeli said "he couldn't say for sure" whether he would be at Anfield on the opening day of the new campaign.

Chelsea are believed to see the former West Ham star as a direct replacement for Joe Cole, whose departure from Stamford Bridge was confirmed when the two parties failed to agree terms on a new contract after his current deal expired.

Reports claim Benayoun has already agreed in principle a four-year deal with Chelsea.

Liverpool are still continuing their search for a new manager but do not feel there is any rush to appoint Benitez's successor and have given themselves a loose timeframe until the end of the month to finalise matters.

Beardsley: Dalglish Key To Keeping Star Duo

Liverpool legend Peter Beardsley is confident Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will stay with the club if Kenny Dalglish is re-appointed as manager.

The two players' futures with the Merseyside outfit are uncertain after a hugely disappointing 2009/10 season at Anfield and boss Rafael Benitez's departure by mutual consent earlier this month.

Dalglish - who is widely regarded as Liverpool's greatest ever player and enjoyed a successful spell in charge from 1985 to 1991 - is believed to be interested in succeeding Benitez, and Beardsley feels the Scot's return to the helm would be enough to persuade Gerrard and Torres to stay.

"I'm not saying he would be a massive success straight away because there are a lot of problems at Liverpool," Beardsley told Press Association Sport.

"They are not Kenny's problems but they need to be resolved - the Steven Gerrard issue, the Fernando Torres issue - and I think you would have more chance of keeping those players if you had a hero like Kenny in charge of the team.

"You look at Torres and he probably came to Liverpool on the strength of watching Dalglish as a player, and Gerrard grew up watching that team.

"So I would think you'd have no problem keeping both of them if Kenny Dalglish was your manager."

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is another name being strongly linked with the post, but Beardsley - who played for Liverpool between 1987 and 1991 - has no doubts that Dalglish is the man for the job.

"Roy Hodgson is obviously a great manager and has proved that with Fulham and all over the world, but I wouldn't look further than Kenny," said Beardsley.

"I played for four years under Kenny and won the league twice and the FA Cup. He gave me his number seven shirt and to wear it for Liverpool was special.

"We were not able to play in Europe in those days, so what he did in my time at the club, and winning the double before I even arrived, was sensational.

"I can't speak for the people of Liverpool but I know the fans would love him and when I look at him, his football knowledge and his football mentality, he loves the game.

"What he means to Liverpool is sensational and I would have no qualms about giving him the job."

Kenny Dalglish Still Believes He Is The Best Man For The Vacant Liverpool Job

Kenny Dalglish's doubts over the calibre of candidates to succeed Rafael Benitez as Liverpool manager appear to have been exposed after the Anfield legend's son, Paul, admitted his father was convinced he is the best man for the job.

Dalglish, the last manager to win the title with Liverpool, in 1990, who returned to Merseyside last year to work as an ambassador for the club’s academy, was named in an official communique as the man leading the search for Benitez’s replacement when the Spaniard left Anfield by mutual consent this month.

Liverpool identified Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, as their ideal candidate because of his experience in the Premier League and in Europe, as well as the perception that his understated manner might herald an end to years of internecine politicking under Benitez.

But no formal offer has been forthcoming and, judging by comments made by Paul, Dalglish is far from impressed by Hodgson’s claims to become his latest heir and believes the most viable option for the club is to appoint him as manager at least until the search, led by chairman Martin Broughton and Barclays Capital, for new owners bears fruit.

“I do not think he is the best person for the job, but he is the best person of everybody available,” said Paul, now manager of the MLS side Tampa Bay Rowdies, of his father.

“It is not as though Jose Mourinho is going to come and do the job. It is not as though Fabio Capello is going to leave England to be the next manager of Liverpool.

“My dad wants to do the job and he feels he is the best person available to do the job. If Jose Mourinho was available and wanted it, my dad would not have any interest in the job, because all he ever does is act in the best interest of Liverpool.

“If new owners come in to invest money in the team and they can attract a Mourinho or a Capello, he would happily step aside if it was in the best interest of the club. My dad wants to do the job because he feels it is the best thing for Liverpool at this time. If that were to change, he would happily step aside.”

Benitez himself, meanwhile, revealed that “95 per cent” of his former players at Anfield, including captain Steven Gerrard, had been in touch to wish him luck after he was unveiled as Inter Milan’s new manager.

“Of course it was difficult to leave Liverpool,” said the Spaniard, who has signed a two-year contract at the San Siro. “I had been there for many years. But this was a perfect opportunity. I spoke with many of my players and they wished me luck.”

Benitez will return to Anfield in the coming weeks to secure the £30 million signature of Javier Mascherano, the Argentine international captain who confessed this week he is learning Italian, after Massimo Moratti, the Inter president, promised him the defensive midfielder as his first purchase.

The former Liverpool manager faces an almost impossible task to improve upon the work of his predecessor, Jose Mourinho, even if he manages to stave off the Portuguese’s determination to sign two of his key players from last season’s treble-winning campaign, Diego Milito and Maicon. Benitez, though, is not one to aim low.

“Mourinho did a tremendous job here,” he said. “But I am different and I want to do my own work. After his great year we have the chance to win six trophies and we will try to do so.”