THURSDAY 3
	Hodgson tops Liverpool's list after Benítez agrees exit Kenny Dalglish is to lead the search for Rafael Benítez's successor as Liverpool manager, with Roy Hodgson and Martin O'Neill among the frontrunners. The leading candidate at present is Hodgson, who has many admirers at Anfield with his European pedigree and recent success at Fulham. The 62-year-old former Internazionale, Switzerland and Blackburn Rovers manager is on a 12-month rolling contract at Craven Cottage and Liverpool are confident he would be receptive to their advances, despite insisting he was fully committed to Fulham after last month's Europa League final defeat to Atlético Madrid. (guardian.co.uk)   Liverpool fans burn US flags in demonstration Liverpool supporters turned their ire on the club’s managing director Christian Purslow on Thursday night as more than 500 demonstrated at Anfield, calling for his dismissal and burning American flags, a direct message to his employers Tom Hicks and George Gillett. (Telegraph.co.uk)   The Rafa Years He was hailed as our Spanish messiah, a genial tactician who restored our reputation as one of Europe's biggest clubs and led us to one of the greatest triumphs in our history. But after a six-year reign of cup glory, league frustration and rotation, Rafael Benitez Maudes' hopes of leading Liverpool to a record-breaking 19th League Championship were brought to an end following a disappointing 2009-10 campaign in which the team lost a total of 19 matches. (LFC Official Website) Evans: It was time for a change Roy Evans today paid tribute to Rafael Benitez's Liverpool tenure - but accepted the time was right for change at the Anfield helm. The Reds confirmed on Thursday that Benitez is to leave the club by mutual consent, bringing his six-year reign to an end. And former Anfield boss Evans told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's always sad when a manager leaves. "Rafa was a good servant to the club over his six years and obviously successful. Unfortunately last season wasn't so good and there's been a lot of criticism. "Sometimes as a football club you have to make a decision to take the club forward and that seems to be what has happened today." (LFC Official Website)  Anfield politics, not results caused Rafael Benítez's Liverpool downfall Benítez was the victim of Liverpool's financial problems but flawed signings made him partly responsible for his exit. Were it simply a football decision, a detached analysis of where Liverpool should be in the midst of a debt-ridden power vacuum, then Rafael Benítez, for the many faults, facts and suspect full-backs, would not be leaving Anfield with a lucrative pay-off. But it is not simply football that has done for Benítez. It is the politicking that is as much a feature of the Spaniard's managerial career as European expertise and the misfortune to fall into the employ of Tom Hicks and George Gillett. (Andy Hunter - guardian.co.uk) Where it went wrong for Rafa Here we look at some of the factors which have led to the downfall of the Spaniard in his failed attempt to bring the glory days back to Anfield. FAILURE TO WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE BOARDROOM UNREST HAUNTED BY THE PAST 'TWO-MAN' TEAM TRANSFER FAILINGS (ITV Football)  Rafa's Liverpool love affair ends in tears TEAMtalk takes a look back at Rafael Benitez's six-year reign as Liverpool manager following Thursday's confirmation of his Anfield departure. (TEAMtalk) Fairclough: Change was necessary David Fairclough believes the club had to change their manager to retain the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Fairclough, who made 155 appearances for the Reds from 1974-83, told Sky Sports News: "I am not totally surprised. There has been so much speculation surrounding the club - ownership-wise and the future of Rafa Benitez. "Liverpool under-performed last season and there were clear signs of disharmony. "I think Rafa found it hard to galvanise the team in the way he had in seasons previous." (TEAMtalk)  Benitez leaves Liverpool Liverpool have confirmed that manager Rafa Benitez is to leave the club by mutual consent after six years at the helm. The Spaniard had found his position under severe scrutiny after a miserable season which saw the Anfield outfit finish seventh in the Premier League, missing out on UEFA Champions League football next term. Benitez's relationship with American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett had become increasingly strained and rumours began circulating that he was to be shown the door on Wednesday evening. It emerged negotiations were under way behind the scenes to agree a severance package, which is believed to be £6million, with the former Valencia boss having only recently signed a lucrative new long-term contract. And Liverpool finally broke their silence over the issue shortly before 4pm on Thursday with confirmation that the man who secured the Champions League trophy in 2005 and the FA Cup the following season was heading for the exit. (Sky Sports)  John Aldridge: Liverpool will replace Benitez within a week Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge is sure that the the Reds' hierarchy will replace Rafael Benitez as manager within a week. But it is not the Spaniard who should be carrying the can for the club's recent disappointments, according to the former Republic of Ireland international. Rather, it is time that the owners accepted their share of the blame and came to a swift resolution of the ongoing and often confusing situation regarding the club's sale. "Nothing surprises me about Liverpool any more," Aldridge told The Liverpool Echo. (Goal.com)   Inter reveal Benitez interest Inter Milan have expressed admiration for Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, strengthening reports linking him with the vacant Serie A post. It is understood Benitez, who endured a massively disappointing campaign with the Reds last season, is poised to depart Anfield once the two parties have agreed on a severance package. And Inter, who are without a manager following the exit of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid, have indicated their interest in the Spaniard. The question of who will fill the vacant Inter position has come under speculation of late, particularly since England boss Fabio Capello dismissed links with the Italian club. But Benitez holds extra appeal for the Giuseppe Meazza outfit after guiding the Reds to victory over Inter's fierce rivals AC Milan in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul. "We really like Rafa Benitez and he is in our favour since the Champions League final in Istanbul," Inter director Gabriele Oriali told Corriere dello Sport. (Sky Sports) "Player power sealed Benitez's fate..." The imminent departure of Rafa Benitez from Liverpool is being seen as a positive, and inevitable move on Fleet Street. The Times' Tony Barrett claims this is a crucial moment for the club. He writes: 'The beginning of what appears to be the end for Rafael Benítez also marks the start of a summer that threatens to be one of the most painful - and will undoubtedly be the most pivotal - in the modern history of Britain's most successful football club... (Football 365)   Another 48 hours for Rafa Sky Sports sources understand Rafa Benitez is to leave Liverpool in the next 48 hours as the two parties continue to negotiate a severance package. News broke of Benitez's likely departure on Wednesday night, with the Spaniard believed to be on the cusp of leaving Anfield after a hugely disappointing past campaign. (Sky Sports)
	WEDNESDAY 2
	Rafa's agent quiet on exit reports Rafael Benitez's agent on Wednesday night refused to discuss reports the Spaniard is set to leave Liverpool. Benitez experienced a dismal 2009/10 season as his team finished only seventh in the Premier League and suffered early exits from the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. According to several reports, Liverpool have made Benitez an offer to walk away from the club, however there has been no official confirmation. Agent Manuel Garcia Quilon said: "We don't know anything more than what's being said. (TEAMtalk) Benitez on verge of Liverpool exit Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is on the verge of leaving the club, BBC Sport understands. Benitez will be offered a multi-million pound severance deal to quit Anfield and could depart by the weekend. The Spaniard, 50, signed a five-year contract in March 2009, but failed to deliver success last season as the club missed out on a Champions League place. Liverpool are £351m in debt and were put up for sale by co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett earlier this year. The American pair's ownership of the Reds has drawn protests from Liverpool fans, who are unhappy with the way the club is being run. Now news of Benitez's impending departure will inevitably lead to question marks over the futures of several key players. (BBC Sport Online) Pepe pleads for Gerrard to stay Jose Reina hopes Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard will not be tempted by Real Madrid and will instead see out his career at Anfield. Gerrard has long been linked with a move to the Spanish giants and speculation has increased since Jose Mourinho took over the reigns as the former Chelsea manager is a long-time admirer of the Liverpool captain. The England midfielder has progressed through the ranks at Anfield but is thought to be increasingly disgruntled with his team's lack of success. However, Reina has begged him not to abandon Anfield for the Bernabeu. "I hope Gerrard doesn't bring anything to Real Madrid and that he stays a long time at Liverpool, that he is with us for the rest of his career," said the Spain goalkeeper. "I understand that something will happen, that Real Madrid's interest in Gerrard will become manifest because Mourinho knows him very well and he is a footballer who can play in any team in the world. "He is part of the elite, among the 10 best in the world because he is a very complete footballer. "Let's hope they don't take him away." (TEAMtalk) Stevie eyes five more years Steven Gerrard hopes the forthcoming World Cup will not be his last as he eyes five more years of top-level football. The midfielder turned 30 on Sunday but has no plans to hang up his boots any time soon. However, with England's so-called Golden Generation reaching its peak, Gerrard accepts South Africa may be his best chance to claim football's greatest prize. "If I want to win a World Cup, I'm going to have to do it soon," said our No.8. "But I'm in good shape and I've still got five years to fight for the top prizes in football. I don't know if this will be my last World Cup but I want to give it everything. "We've (England's current crop of players) been together for a long time, so I don't think there are any excuses for us any more. It's time to deliver. The team is winning and confidence is high, but we still have some improving to do if we want to go all the way." Gerrard was one of three players to miss in a quarter-final penalty shoot-out loss to Portugal back in 2006 - a rare low point in his glittering career. The Liverpool man is keen to put things right should penalties come into play this summer. "Of course I'd take one," he said. "Missing a penalty in the quarter-final in 2006 was the loneliest place in the world, and I want to put that right. "It's bad enough losing, but to feel responsible for a loss is the worst kind of failure." (LFC Official Website)
	TUESDAY 1
	Kuyt on target as Holland purr Dirk Kuyt was on target as Holland cruised to a 4-1 win over Ghana on Tuesday night. The Liverpool man opened the scoring with a tap-in on the half-hour mark before making way for clubmate Ryan Babel on 73 minutes. Rafael van der Vaart , Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie also got their names on the scoresheet for Holland, with Ghana's consolation coming through Asamoah Gyan. Kuyt and co now face Hungary on June 5 before opening their World Cup campaign against Daniel Agger's Denmark on June 14. (LFC Official Website) Carragher going to South Africa Jamie Carragher has been named in Fabio Capello's 23-man England squad for the World Cup Finals. The Liverpool defender was recently called up by the England coach because of injuries to key players and now joins fellow Reds Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson in the final squad. Full Squad Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham). Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa). Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City). Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United). (LFC Online) Aussie loss for Agger Daniel Agger completed 90 minutes for Denmark in a 1-0 defeat to Australia in South Africa on Tuesday afternoon. The Liverpool centre-back was unable to prevent his nation from slipping to a narrow loss in their penultimate fixture ahead of the start of the World Cup finals as Josh Kennedy's 71st minute strike secured a win for the Socceroos. Denmark will take on South Africa in a friendly on Saturday before beginning their Group E campaign against Holland on June 14. Agger has been included in coach Morten Olsen's 23-man squad for the tournament. (LFC Official Website) Inter Milan offer to double Benitez Liverpool wages Inter Milan have made a new move for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. The Sun says the European champs made their move at the weekend - just when everyone thought they were chasing England manager Fabio Capello. (tribalfootball.com)  Reds and Hammers in race for Opare Liverpool and West Ham are believed to be among a host of European clubs tracking Real Madrid's Ghana starlet Daniel Opare. Opare is regarded as one of Africa's brightest talents and was spotted by Real early on as he moved to the Spanish capital in 2007. The Ghana youngster was tipped to make the breakthrough from their Castilla side last term, but injury hampered his progress. Now fully fit, the versatile full-back, who can also play anywhere in midfield, is now set to be allowed to move on loan next season. (TEAMtalk) Hansen insists Liverpool not far away from competing for title Liverpool icon Alan Hansen believes the club can still attract quality signings this summer, despite the lack of Champions League football. Hansen thinks two or three quality additions could get Liverpool back challenging alongside Manchester United and Chelsea. "Liverpool are still Liverpool - they're still massive and they still have the greatest support in the world," the Scot told Radio City. "Liverpool have got to forget what's gone before and concentrate on what's ahead of them. "It's going to be difficult but I'd look at 1986-87 when Everton won the league and we came second. I knew we were a long way short. Kenny Dalglish knew that too and he brought in Barnes, Beardsley, Aldridge, Spackman and Houghton. "That turned it around like you'd never believe. We went from not being nearly good enough to being a great side. "Hopefully that can happen to this Liverpool side because they've got some great players. If they can just get two or three more in who can do a job." (tribalfootball.com) Thor Zakariassen ©