Report: Liverpool Want Hughes As Benitez's Replacement

Poignant SG

Liverpool have sounded out former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes about taking over from Rafa Benitez at Anfield, according to a report from The People.

Reds' owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have apparently compiled a shortlist of names as potential successors to the under-pressure Spainiard, whose side drew 1-1 at Stoke City on Saturday.

Hughes is believed to be on that shortlist, alongside Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, with agents acting on behalf of the Reds meeting a positive response to their initial approaches.

O'Neill does not see moving to Anfield from Villa Park as anything like a step-up at the moment though and Guus Hiddink and Jose Mourinho are also believed to be other potential targets.

Hughes is also said to be watching events at his former club Blackburn Rovers with interest, with Sam Allardyce coming under growing pressure.

One edge the Welshman might have is the fact he is currently out of work and immediately available should Hicks and Gillett decide to move for him.

Rooney9 SG

haven't Liverpool learnt its lesson after all these dud appointments, from souness, to evans, then to houllier and now rafa.

Hughes is a good manager, make no mistake about it. but you need more than a good manager to win you EPL league title and CL. you need managers like fergie, mourinho, hiddink, capello, wenger type to win you the trophies again and again. Is Hughes or Klinnsman the man to do that? I dun think so.