Spanish pair linked as Dalglish leaves Liverpool

Rafael Benitez is among the early candidates to take charge of Liverpool at 6.05/1 after Kenny Dalglish's departure following a disastrous Premier League campaign was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

The club have released a statement confirming that they have terminated the Liverpool legend's contract, insisting that "it is not a decision that was reached lightly or hastily", with chairman Tom Werner admitting that "results in the Premier League have been disappointing".

Much like in the aftermath of Roy Hodgson's exit 16 months ago, it is a successful former Reds boss expected to prove the most popular choice to step in among supporters.

Benitez would almost certain jump at the opportunity to return, still based in Merseyside and perhaps vindicated in claiming that his 2010 dismissal was unjustified given how miserably the Carling Cup winners have fared since.

Whether the Fenway Sports Group would consider him as a candidate is less clear, this being the first time that they are looking to hire a manager not already employed by the club. Some reports suggest that they will approach Roberto Martinez, and he is the current 3.211/5 favourite.

The Wigan tactician, who has chairman Dave Whelan's blessing to move on should a suitably big team make an approach, was previously rated a leading contender for the Aston Villa job, but has drifted from 2.6213/8 to 10.09/1 with a more attractive vacancy emerging.

His attractive style of football, relentless positivity and smooth media handling will all appeal to John Henry and co, though whether he has done enough in his three years at Wigan to demonstrate that he is capable of ending their three-year Champions League exile.

The Latics finished the season superbly, winning seven of their final nine games following a shrewd shift to an adventurous 3-4-3 formation, yet were bottom until March. Martinez has never placed outside the bottom six, whereas Wigan had done in three of the four years prior to his arrival.