Out of the cups and trailing in the league Liverpool are being circled by punters today clearly sniffing blood as Rafa Benitez clings on for dear life.
Paddy Power’s betting so far today would suggest a three horse race on who will replace Rafa with punters making their opinons firmly known on who they would like to see in the hotseat. Former manager Kenny Dalglish is the 11/4 favourite edging out Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink at 7/2 and 9/2, respectively.
Other names further down the field include Martin O’Neil and Jurgen Klinsmann at 8/1 and Michael Laudrup at 18/1 with former Red Steve Staunton the 250/1 outsider
Not If But When? Rafa’s days at Anfield are surely all but numbered following the FA Cup defeat to Reading. The Liverpool boss is 3/1 favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his job, 5/6 favourite to be the first big name to exit Anfield and 16/1 to have left the club in less than two matches. Paddy Power also offer 3/1 Rafa exits the door in less than eight games - although the Spaniard is 1/5 to somehow still be holding the reigns after eight games
Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power said: “Surely now it’s not if but when Rafa goes – certainly all the money today seems to suggest that is the case.
“Punters are recognising Dalglish is already working at the club and would be both an experienced and popular choice - but Mourinho and Hiddink are also proving popular with Liverpool probably facing a small window of opportunity to land such two of the most talented managers in the game.”
LIVERPOOL BETTING LATEST
Premier League Sack Race 3/1 Benitez 10/3 Brown 5/1 Allardyce 15/2 Zola 12/1 McCarthy 14/1 Martinez 16/1 Grant 16/1 Pulis 18/1 Bar
Liverpool finishing position 50/1 1st 28/1 2nd 9/1 3rd 9/2 4th 21/10 5th 7/2 6th 23/10 7th or worse
How long will Rafa last? 20/1 Less than one game 16/1 Less than two games 12/1 Less than three 10/1 Less than four 7/1 Less than five 6/1 Less than six 5/1 Less than seven 3/1 Less than eight 1/5 Eight or more
First to leave Liverpool 5/6 Benitez 7/2 Gillette 9/2 Hicks Snr 5/1 Torres 11/1 Gerrard 33/1 Carragher
To Be There Next Season 1/5 Gerrard 4/9 Torres 4/5 Benitez