Club legend Kenny Daglish has been handed the task of finding us a new boss but many have suggested that ‘King Kenny’, the man who led us to our last domestic title, wants the job for himself. Others think that Daglish has been out of football for too long and the experience of Fulham boss Roy Hodgson would suit our club more at this point in time. Names such as Martin O’Neill, Manuel Pellegrini, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Jurgen Klinsman, Guus Hiddink, Frank Rijkaard, Harry Redknapp, Mark Hughes and Marcello Lippi have also been linked. But who is your preference for manager?

Lets have a look at the candidates:

Kenny Daglish – What more can you say about Kenny? His name is immortal at Anfield. He has led the team to glory both as player and manager and is in the heart of every true Liverpool supporter. Has won Premier League/First Division titles with both Liverpool and Blackburn but had mixed results at both Newcastle and Celtic. Many feel his knowledge of our club and its traditions should make him favourite to succeed Rafa.

Roy Hodgson – Vastly experienced manager. Has worked with various club and national teams including Inter Milan (2 separate stints), Blackburn, Udinese, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and Finland to name a few. Has transformed Fulham into a solid top half Premiership team and led them to the UEFA Cup final last season.

Martin O’Neill – Highly rated British boss who has yet to take a team to the next level. Had enjoyed reasonable success at both Leicester City and Celtic before he joined Aston Villa but many feel he is not the man bring glory back to our famous club.

Sven-Goran Eriksson – Former England, Mexico, Lazio, Sampdoria, Manchester City and current Ivory Coast boss. Good tactically. Has his doubters but has proven himself at club level in the past. Both domestically and in Europe. Has stated his love for Liverpool FC.

Harry Redknapp – Solid British manager who has proven himself at this level. It remains to be seen wether he would be able to lead a team to the ultimate glory of a Premiership title. Performed wonders at both Pompey and Spurs. Would more than likely stay at White Hart Lane following outstanding season that saw the team achieve a Champions League place.

Marcello Lippi – Is a good experienced manager, who has both Champions League and World Cup winning medals. Doesn’t speak English and seems to have distanced himself from the speculation linking him with Anfield.

Manuel Pellegrini – Good record at Villarreal. Was sacked from Real Madrid despite an impressive tally of league points. Failure to perform in Champions League and win big matches cost him his job. Wouldn’t consider him a serious contender

Ottmar Hitzfeld – Hasn’t been mentioned for the role but is someone we feel should definitely been approached. Hitfield’s record is second to none. He has won League titles with every team he has coached and is only one of two managers (the other being Jose Mourinho) to have won the UEFA Champions League with two different teams (Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich). Has twice been named World Coach of the Year (1997 and 2001) and been rated the best Bundesliga-coach of all time.

Jurgen Klinsman – Very inexperienced coach. Not liked by many who played under him at Bayern. Team turned around once he left the club. Would not consider him anywhere near what was required of us.

Guus Hiddink – Tactical genious, very Experienced. His record in turning around teams is second to none. His CV includes teams such as Real Madrid, Chelsea, PSV, South Korea, Australia, Russia and Holland.

Frank Rijkaard – Fantastic footballer in his time. Has experience at the highest level despite his young age. Led Barcelona to 2 La Liga titles and a Champions League. Has also managed the Dutch national team and Sparta Rotterdam. He is currently contracted to Turkish club Galatasaray.

Mark Hughes – Former favourite of the Man United scum. Has proven that he has no loyalty to them by accepting the Manchester City post last season. Doesn’t have the managerial pedigree to take over our club and would more than likely not be a popular choice.

Who does The Red Half think should take over at Anfield? Give it to Kenny!!! The man is a legend here and would be just what we need.

Second preference? Guus Hiddink. Has the knowledge and experience to bring us silverware. Likes a challenge.

Third preference? Would have to be Ottmar Hitzfeld. The guy is a winner and has proven it over and over.

What to do you think?

The league fixtures in full for the season are listed below:

August

14 Arsenal (H)

21 Man City (A)

28 West Brom (H)

September

11 Birmingham (A)

18 Man Utd (A)

25 Sunderland (H)

October

2 Blackpool (H)

16 Everton (A)

23 Blackburn (H)

30 Bolton (A)

November

6 Chelsea (H)

9 Wigan (A)

13 Stoke (A)

20 West Ham (H)

27 Tottenham (A)

December

4 Aston Villa (H)

11 Newcastle (A)

18 Fulham (H)

26 Blackpool (A)

28 Wolverhampton (H)

January

1 Bolton (H)

5 Blackburn (A)

15 Everton (H)

22 Wolverhampton (A)

February

2 Stoke (H)

5 Chelsea (A)

12 Wigan (H)

26 West Ham (A)

March

5 Man Utd (H)

19 Sunderland (A)

April

2 West Brom (A)

9 Man City (H)

16 Arsenal (A)

23 Birmingham (H)

30 Newcastle (H)

May

7 Fulham (A)

14 Tottenham (H)

22 Aston Villa (A)

We have re-signed Stevie G, Carra, Pepe and Xabi and that is great, but I’m sure that I would be right in saying that all of us were expecting some big big arrivals ahead of next season.

Now Reds co-owner George Gillett has given us some reassurances saying that we are ready to enter “phase two” of the summer plan.

He told liverpoolfc.tv: “I sense that kind of pressure building from the media. I think the fans know that we have huge regard for Rafa. He has a number of initiatives and concepts and plans under way.

“We’re not going to do something just to try to prove something. I can assure you that we are working on different things.

“The first part was identifying a number of our existing star players whom Rafa wanted to sign on long-term contracts.

“That was the first step and it has been done. Now we’re moving on to phase two, which is bringing players in.

“For Tom and me, this really is about trying to win championships, and that takes commitment, no matter what sport.

“We are pleased with Rafa and his strategy. It’s not dissimilar to what he outlined to us in February. His belief is to look for players with the proper chemistry to enhance the team.

“We support Rafa. He has a programme under way and, as that unfolds, that will be the time for us to be judged, not now.”

Most fans I have talked with think Rafa was waiting for the Primera Liga to end in order to start negotiations, and I hope they are right. I would be hugely disappointed if we did not sign a minimum of two world class players this summer.

I’m still quietly confident that we won’t be disappointed and will see some big faces arrive at Anfield soon. What do you think?

We have been linked with various players in various positions as we are every summer, but the difference this time is that we can actually buy them if he want to do so.

STRIKERS: Robbie ‘God’ Fowler is now gone. We will always love you Robbie. That but that leaves us with three recognised strikers. Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy + a fit-again Luis Garcia.

Kuyt seems to be the only one of the trio who is assured of a position next season. Dirk is great at holding the ball up and bringing the midfielders into the game but I think he could be more effective with a fast livewire striker supporting him.

Crouch has apparently been told by Rafa that he still has a future at the club and fair play, his form this season has shown that he will get goals when given solid game time.

Controversial striker Craig Bellamy is the least secure of the three and could be on the way out if we sign a similar style running forward (Owen, Eto’o etc)

I think Luis will still be at the club next season. Haven’t heard anything regarding a move and he is apparently fit and already in training for next season.

We have been linked to numerous strikers including Samuel Eto’o, David Villa, Carlos Tevez and Darren Bent. Who would you go for? I think Eto’o is a gem of a player. He has proven it at the top with Barcelona and will get us 20 goals a season. Tevez is the other striker I would purchase. After his slow start at the Hammers showed what he can do in an ordinary side. Imagine what he could do with the proper support.

That would leave Dirk and Crouchy on the bench assuming Bellamy leaves the club this summer.

FLANKERS: Our biggest issue. We need at least two new established ‘World Class’ flankers.

Jermaine Pennant has had a so so debut season at the club, Harry Kewell can be brilliant on his day but is to injury prone to rely on over the length of a season, Mark Gonzalez and Bolo Zenden are going to be sold by Rafa this summer.

The number one flanker I would like to have is the one Rafa is going to get (hopefully). SIMAO. He is quick, tricky, set piece master and is has big game experience. We almost had him at the start of the 05-06 season then he came back to bite us in the Champions league with Benfica that season.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: I am very glad and proud to say that I wouldn’t swap out centre of the park with anyone. We have the best midfield in world football. Stevie, Mascherano, Momo and Alonso. Perfect.

DEFENCE: Rafa could make a few changes here. Carra is obviously safe but the rest is there for the taking in my books. Stevie Finnan, Daniel Agger, John Arne Riise (love’em all) they are all solid consistent performers but is Rafa looking for more?

I know Finnan is being offered a new deal so I assume he is safe. Brazilian Daniel Alves has been linked with us for some time now. He can play both as a right sided flanker and as an attacking full-back. Would give Finnan some very serious competition.

Agger has been another example of Rafa’s mastery. What a bargain. But we are still being linked with other established central defender like Diego Milito (Argentinean defender from Real Zaragoza) so who knows. I’m 100% sure Agger will be with us next term but maybe Rafa wants to keep him on his toes.

Hyppia is another loyal servant of the club who looks like he may be surplus to requirements at the club next season. If he does go, I’m sure every Reds fan will wish him the best.

IN GOAL: Pepe Reina. Enough said.

I AM PUMPED to think about who could be wearing our famous jersey next season

Those dirty Mancs have already made 2 signings (Nani and Anderson).

SO LETS GET CRACKING RAFA

Let us know if you think everything I just said is rubbish or if you were also thinking along the same lines.

YNWA

“We’re as keen as ever,” said Parry.

“It’s always been our aim to keep Steven at the club for the rest of his career. In no way has that diminished.

“He’s ambitious and wants us to be winning trophies so the more successful we are and the more finals we are in, the happier he will be in the long term.

“We’re not putting a timescale on it. We’re keen to do it, he’s keen to do it and it will get done. What we’re focusing on now is the final.”

“I think Pepe is playing better,” said Benitez.

“It was clear that he needed a little bit of luck and a bit of confidence and he has been working hard. We know Pepe is a very good goalkeeper and we must give him confidence.”

“I can not understand why we play so bad away from Anfield, I really can’t,” said Riise.

“Against Arsenal on Sunday, Rafa was calm in the dressing room after the match. he knew we knew that this was not good enough.”

He added: “We never give up. Cowards give up,”

“Of course it will be hard to catch up with Manchester United, but at one point last season we were 27 points behind Chelsea, and in May we were only nine points behind.”

Reina said: “Fourth place is our target now, we have to fight for that. The title is too far away for us because mathematically Manchester United and Chelsea are very superior.

“We are probably a better team in the Champions League than in the Premiership. We have a lot of confidence in Europe.”

Now although all of us are gutted by the terrible away results we have had this season Im dissapointed to hear this.