Who is favourite to succeed Rafa?

The following story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club:

So, after months of speculation, weeks of innuendo, and what feels like a lifetime of uncertainty, the end has finally come.

Having danced his way into the hearts of supporters on stage at the Empire last week, Rafa Benitez has now waltzed out of their lives for good.

News that the Liverpool board were working on a deal which would see him replaced as manager spread like wildfire earlier this week, and yesterday's announcement that the Spaniard's six-year reign at Anfield had ended was no surprise.

Indeed, European Champions Inter Milan are already believed to have contacted Benitez with a view to him replacing Jose Mourinho as manager at the San Siro. The football world really does move at quite a pace these days.

For Liverpool, the recriminations are obvious. Having spent much of his time on Merseyside firefighting against warring owners, a hostile media and rising expectations, the man responsible for Istanbul in 2005, Cardiff in 2006, and the Bernabeu and Old Trafford last year has fallen on his sword. A seventh-placed Premier League finish this season need not have been fatal for Benitez, but did little to ease the pressure upon his shoulders.

Yet, amongst the litany of unanswered questions which remain, one stands out above all others:

Who exactly will replace him at Anfield?

Christian Purslow and Kenny Dalglish will lead the search for a successor, yet Reds legend John Aldridge believes the powers-that-be at Liverpool will already have one lined up. He told the ECHO yesterday; "I can't for the life of me believe they are going to let Rafa go without having someone else lined up.

"You don't make a decision like that without knowing who you are going to get in his place. When Gerard Houllier went [in 2004], Liverpool had Rafa lined up. I just hope it is all sorted out in the right manner."

Of course the rumour mill has already been sent into overdrive, with names far and wide being linked with the hot-seat. Plenty of Merseysiders were today brushing up their CV in preparation for their own applications.

Former Reds striker David Fairclough, however, believes the solution could lie within the club itself.

"People will probably be shy to commit and Liverpool probably have a little bit of a problem on their hands in that sense," he said. "But with Kenny Dalglish in the back room, I wouldn't rule against someone like him being involved in how the club goes forward in a short-term way.

"Fans would take to that. I don't think it would be a bad appointment, certainly in the short term."

But whilst the return of King Kenny would offer a degree of romance to a decidedly gloomy chapter in the Reds' recent history, the race to replace Rafa is a congested field. Here we take a look at a dozen of the most likely candidates...

MARTIN O'NEILL - 9/4

The Aston Villa boss has plenty of fans within the game, but has been at loggerheads with his own board recently. Enjoyed success with Leicester and Celtic, though question marks remain as to his top-level managerial pedigree.

ROY HODGSON - 7/2

Very much flavour of the month after guiding Fulham to the Europa League final. Hodgson is a calm and well-travelled manager with an eye for moulding teams. Managed Inter Milan to a UEFA Cup final appearance.

KENNY DALGLISH - 7/2

An Anfield legend, who enjoyed unrivalled success as a player and a manager. Dalglish has worked with the club's academy for the past year, and is known to command the respect of senior players. Has been out of management for over a decade, however.

JURGEN KLINSMANN - 8/1

Famously approached by Tom Hicks and George Gillett back in 2007 - whilst Benitez was still manager - Klinsmann has been out of work since a disastrous spell at Bayern Munich in 2008. Speaks well and is highly thought of, especially by Liverpool's owners.

GUUS HIDDINK - 8/1

One of the most respected managers around, Hiddink has earned global recognition for his work at club and international level. Has agreed to take over the Turkish national team from August, but has juggled roles before.

MANUEL PELLEGRINI - 14/1

A victim of the Real Madrid machine, the Chilean forged a solid reputation with Villarreal, and would have won La Liga were it not for the record-breaking exploits of Barcelona. Question marks over his handling of big names may count against him.

FRANK RIJKAARD - 14/1

A Champions League and La Liga winner, the Dutchman's reputation was sullied somewhat by a poor end to his Barcelona reign. Now at Turkish giants Galatasaray, though he failed to guide them to the title this year.

SLAVEN BILIC - 16/1

Made his name by guiding Croatia to Euro 2008 at England's expense. Stock has fallen since, as his side failed to qualify for World Cup this summer. A former Evertonian, and distinctly unproven at club level.

MARK HUGHES - 16/1

Suffered at the hands of demanding directors at Manchester City, though many would argue the Welshman failed to make the most of unprecedented transfer spending. Strong Manchester United ties were probably severed by his stint at City, but his credentials are dubious.

ALEX MCLEISH - 20/1

Has steadily established himself as a solid Premier League coach with Birmingham City. Shrewd in the transfer market, and astute with the press, though again somewhat unproven at European level.

LOUIS VAN GAAL - 20/1

One of the most successful coaches around. Followed up Dutch league success with AZ by leading Bayern Munich to a domestic double, as well as a Champions League final, his second European Cup win after his victory with Ajax in 1995.

MARTIN JOL - 33/1

Perhaps harshly written off after leaving Tottenham - whom he guided to the brink of the Champions League - Jol has done ok at both Hamburg and Ajax since, though major honours have always eluded him.

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON - 40/1

As nomadic as anyone, Eriksson's current role is with the Ivory Coast, after mixed stints with Manchester City, Mexico and Notts County in recent years. Tends to follow the big money around, so Anfield looks unlikely.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.