All bets off for Benitez

Last updated : 01 June 2004 By Chris Maxwell
The 44-year-old Spaniard is widely expected to be announced as Gerard Houllier's replacement at Anfield in the next fortnight and this confidence is reflected by the bookmakers.

"Benitez's departure from Valencia would suggest strongly that he is anticipating taking up another position very shortly so until and unless Liverpool announce officially that he is not a contender for the job it seems unlikely that we will be reopening this book," said William Hills spokesman Graham Sharpe.