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)

Best of all is that he talked of his real desire to wear the famous Red shirt and play in front of the Kop.

Speaking after he was officially unveiled the 23-year-old Torres said: “The Liverpool offer arrived and I told the club to listen to that offer as that is the team I wanted to play for,”

“It’s one of the best, if not the best, club in Europe.”

“It has been a difficult decision to leave my all-time club,”

“But it would have been hard for me to reject Liverpool’s offer. It is a big leap for me and I think it was the right thing for everyone.

“The time comes in the life of a player that he needs more challenges.”

“The fact that Liverpool are giving me the number nine jersey just goes to show the confidence they have placed in me, when considering those who have worn that shirt before me,”

“A new beautiful adventure begins for me and I hope that with work and effort I can be among the best players.

“This is a unique opportunity for me. Liverpool aspire to everything and that has been an important factor in my decision to go there.

“I want to adapt as quickly as possible. I think Premiership is a football that adapts well to my style.

RAFA SAYS

“He has experience,”

“He was playing in the first division at 17 years old and I think he can manage the pressure.

“He knows he will be an important player and I’m sure the staff and other players will help him.

“He has power, pace, is good in the air, scores goals, can dribble and do a lot of things. The kind of striker he is different to the other strikers we have at the moment.”

On any comparisons to former Reds striker Fernando Morientes, he added: “He is different to Morientes,”

“He is quicker and stronger.

“Morientes had other skills and was a very good finisher but Torres can run behind defenders, can play in the wide areas or play between the lines to receive the ball.”

CARRA SAYS

“If other teams are spending double what you are spending on players they have an advantage on you,”

“Hopefully the players that we’re looking to buy now are maybe in that bracket of £15-20million.

“If we want to bridge that gap we have to go in at the top end of the market.”

“You have a great pedigree (with Fernando Torres) there. He is a young lad, very quick, which is good for the Premiership and hopefully he will do very well.”

PEPE REINA SAYS

“We need a player that scores 20 or 25 goals a season and Fernando Torres can be the man,”

“Torres has many virtues,”

“I am confident that he will do very important things for the team.”

He added: “It’s true that the style of football is different in England,”

“We want him to be ready from the first minute and show the player he has been in recent years.”

“Liverpool showed a lot of interest in him,”

“The fact that there are many Spaniards at Liverpool was one of the reasons why he chose to come here.

“I think this will help him adapt quicker.”

XABI SAYS

“He is a brilliant player,”

“It is clear it would be good for us to have him. He has already demonstrated his enormous quality and to have him in the team will be brilliant.”

After a frustrating start to this off-season we finally have something great to smile about and it seems as though new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are being true to their word to make us a Premiership force.

Rafa has now turned his attentions to signing a new flanker and has been linked with Ricardo Quaresma, Alessandro Mancini and Simao.

He recently said: “Really we are working with wingers. People can talk about a lot of things and a lot of names but we’re working on wingers.”

Well things are getting very exciting. cant wait to see what Rafa does next. Watch this space for more.

“His record is 82 goals in 200 games for Atletico, I think,” said Fowler.

“His record has been fantastic in Spain.

“He has scored goals for his country as well. I think he’ll be a great player for Liverpool.

“To be honest I’m a Liverpool fan and I hope he brings the championship to Liverpool.

“Since I’ve been playing, we’ve never won that, and as I said before I’m a fan, so I want Liverpool to win everything.

“Players signing of this calibre will only help the club to get in a position where they can challenge for titles.”

He added: “I’m not a manager, so I don’t know how it works, but you’ve obviously got to sign the right players.

“At the end of the day you need a bit of luck and Liverpool have not really had that.

“We’ve been notoriously slow starters. If you look, it took a while to get going, but we probably finished the season as well as anyone, so you need a bit of luck to be honest.”

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

He told the Sunday Mirror: “I never want to leave Liverpool and I hope I can get my contract sorted out as quickly as possible,”

“I want to stay here for the rest of my career.

“I’m not interested in this new Fifa rule where players can buy themselves out of their contract.

“I know it’s there, but I don’t know anything about it as it is something I wouldn’t do.

“My ambition is to wear the red shirt for as long as I can and I’d be absolutely gutted if I ever had to leave.”

He told The Sun: “Benitez is an admirer and considers him to be the best striker in Europe along with Didier Drogba,”

“However, Liverpool are not the only ones after Amauri. There are offers coming from several clubs.

“But Liverpool have kept an eye on him for quite a while now.”

“I hope it may be done this week, but we are talking and we are sure it will be done soon,” he said.

“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.”