What are the odds on Rafa Benitez and Liverpool parting ways?

With Liverpool’s exit from the FA Cup to struggling Championship side Reading, Reds boss Rafa Benitez must now be fearing the moment when his name is taken off the door his Anfield office. This latest disaster follows an early exit from the Champions League and the Carling Cup. From their current league position, it looks as if they will struggle to take fourth place in the Premier League, meaning that they could miss out on the Champions League completely next season. The board have been patient with Benitez, and the players have rallied around him before, but is this now the final nail in the coffin of his Anfield tenure? If not, is the hammer hovering? The people filtering out of the Kop on Wedneday night, after Reading deservedly won the match in Extra Time, will probably want to see him gone sooner rather than later. Fan pressure counts for a lot.

It has been a tough season for Liverpool, and quite a fall from grace from recent times. Just over a year ago they were serious challengers for the Premier League title, and they were a side to be reckoned with in the Champions League. All that has changed though, with directionless performances from what looks like a sub-standard team in terms of quality. Now to compound their woes, star striker Fernando Torres is out for six weeks as he needs to undergo a knee operation, and captain Steven Gerrard is also going to be in the treatment room for a couple of weeks after picking up an injury. Lack of full fitness to their two star peformers has caused them problems all season, primarily highlighting the fact that there is lack of quality in depth at the club.

So how long now will Benitez be at Anfield? Naturally the betting world is jumping all over this, but a statement from Managing Director Christian Purslow, has said that his position is safe. Is that merely the dreaded vote of confidence? Liverpool’s next game is on the weekend at Stoke, and could be a real minefield if they fail to come away with a win. Following that, they have to take on the high flying Tottenham at home. With these games on the horizon, the new and improved Ladbrokes have a very particular bet, which is “Liverpoool not to beat Stoke and Benitez to leave job before midnight Sunday, January 17th” all for the price of 7/1.

Expekt are offering 9/10 on him to go between 19/01/2010 and 22/05/2010 inclusive.
BetFred offer 10/1 on Benitez to leave before the match against Tottenham on January 20th.

Stan James are offering 13/8 on Benitez being the manager on the 1st Day of Next Season, while offering 12/5 on “Any Other Manger”. Kenny Dalglish incidentally is 7/2 with Stan James to be Manager on 1st Day of Season (same price as Jose Mourinho). The real big question though, maybe not when Spaniard Benitez goes, but if he does, who will replace him? This is where the fun really starts, with Victor Chandler offering a list of potential next managers. Jose Mourhino and Kenny Dalgish are at 3/1, while Guus Hiddink is offered at 10/3. Fancy Gerard Houllier coming back? He is at 10/1. The list goes on, including names such as Martin O’Neill, David Moyes, Harry Redknapp and Alex McLeish, who, to be fair, it is hard to see them leaving their current positions. For some reason, the name that caught my eye was Didier Deschamps at 33/1, as he would probably bring some of the good passing football that is associated with Liverpool. Or maybe Sven Goran Eriksson at 50/1 would be the man to fill the hot-seat? Check out Victor Chandler for a comprehensive list.

Boylesports are taking a slightly different approach to the whole situation, by offering odds on “What Will Happen First?” for Liverpool specials:
Liverpool to win major trophy with another manager – 4/7
Liverpool win major trophy with Rafa Benitez – 11/4
Rafa Benitez wins major trophy with another team – 7/2

The miserable season of course though, doesn’t just affect the manager. One way Benitez would probably be able to invest in some new players, would be to sell off his star striker, Fernando Torres. He would command millions all across Europe, and Boylesports offer 1/6 for Torres to be playing in the English Premier League next season, and 7/2 on him being in the Spanish Primera Liga.