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Reds line up Rafa replacement
Liverpool, 12:36, March 14, 2010 ,
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is rumoured to be top of Liverpool's wanted list if the club decide to part company with Rafa Benitez.
The Reds are weighing up whether to pay up Benitez for the remainder of his contract which would cost them around £15 million pounds.
The Spanaird could spare them the decision if he opts to accept an offer to manage Juventus or Real Madrid, with both clubs understood to be considering moves for the former Valencia chief.
A prominent football insider told the Sunday Express: "There is a great deal of talk within the game that O'Neill is highly regarded by Liverpool's American owners.
"I've heard Alex McLeish's name mentioned but O'Neill would be the much stronger candidate and would, in my opinion, take the job."
Villa would be loathed to lose O'Neill after watching him put together a really strong squad, based around a number of British players who can only get better.