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The ability to avoid relegation would appear to be the primary criteria for the job as Liverpool manager as Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was installed as the favourite to succeed Kenny Dalglish.

To any sensitive Liverpool fans out there, we’re only joking, of course. Martinez has worked wonders with meagre resources at Wigan and earned plenty of plaudits for a style of football that produced little substance early on this season, but was eventually responsible for wins over Manchester United, Arsenal and indeed, over Liverpool at Anfield.

The genial Spaniard has been installed as the 6/4 favourite by our good friends at Paddy Power to replace the departed Dalglish, who was turfed out by the club’s American owners after a season of mediocrity on Merseyside.

Following closely behind in the betting stakes is fellow Spaniard and former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and as the man himself might say, that’s a fact.

The man often derided for his resemblance to a Spanish waiter is 13/8 to return to a club where he is still adored by a section of fans, who have derided the direction the club have taken since his exit two years ago.

Having once gone a century of games without naming the same team twice, Benitez will no doubt play the Tinkerman if he does return to Merseyside, so Reds fans can expect to see Stewart Downing at left back, Andy Carroll at the heart of the defence and Jay Spearing going it alone up front.

Beyond the Spanish connection, Jose Mourinho at 10/1 and Martin O’Neill at 12/1 are more optimistic shouts, although the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Paul Lambert could be worth a shot at odds of 14/1.

Those convinced that Pep Guardiola will put off his football sabbatical for a spell at Anfield can back him to do just that at 20/1, while European heavyweights Guus Hiddink and Joachim Loew are a little further down the running at 22/1 and 25/1 respectively.

While we can’t get over the fact that Liverpool legend Steve Staunton isn’t being considered, the Reds connection is ensured by the presence of Steven Gerrard (50/1) and God himself, Robbie Fowler at 100/1.

In any case, whoever does take the job, there's a great chance that next year will be Liverpool's year, right?