Rijkaard joins names in frame to replace Kenny

KENNY DALGLISH was sacked as Liverpool manager on Wednesday afternoon as he paid the price for the Reds' dismal league campaign despite winning the Carling Cup.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez and former Reds manager Rafa Benitez, who won the Champions League in his first spell at the club, had already been installed front-runners to take over as speculation mounted over Dalglish's future earlier in the week.

Martinez is 7-4  favourite with Betfred, Coral and Hills - and as short as 5-4 with bet365 - while Benitez is a general 4-1.

However, Frank Rijkaard also came in for sustained support following Dalglish's departure as he was slashed from 33-1 to a best of 12-1 with bet365. Hills are as short as 9-2.

BetVictor have also cut Swansea supremo Brendan Rodgers to 10-1 from 25-1 for post and 14-1 is now the biggest available price.