Mancini in line for Liverpool 

Source: ReutersFormer Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini

Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini has made himself available to replace under-fire Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, Britain's Daily Mail is reporting.

The Italian has been linked to a plethora of jobs since being given the boot by the Serie A side in May 2008.

But Mancini had refused to settle his 5.5 million-pound a year contract with the Italians until now.

The 44-year-old has been linked with Benitez's job at Anfield, as well as Real Madrid, although rumors are Benitez has also been linked with the Bernabeu job, as Chilean Manuel Pellegrini is under-fire despite leading the club to within a point of the top of La Liga.

And it now that Mancini, who has been receiving full pay thanks to an Inter contact with ran till 2010, has chosen now to put himself on the job market after accepting a pay off believed to be in the region of 7-10 million pounds.

According to The Daily Mail reports in Italy put Mancini as the frontrunner for the Madrid job, but although Real Madrid maintain they are happy with Pellegrini sources in Spain say it is Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez who is the fans' favourite to take on the role.

'There have appeared the names of great coaches in the papers, but we are happy with Pellegrini and we are sure that he will finish the season." A Real spokesman said.

'Real Madrid respect the press and everything that they say, but it is the club who decide and we are happy how we are."

Madrid, who spent a record amount of money in the summer transfer window on the likes of Ronaldo, Kaka and Alonso, are second in the La Liga after beating Getafe 2-0 on Sunday while leaders Barcelona only managed a draw at Osasuna.

But Pellegrini would be back under pressure again if his side lose at AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Liverpool, who have lost six of their last seven games, will try to salvage what is left of their season away to Lyon on Thursday.

After Liverpool's Halloween horror at Fulham on Sunday, Rafa Benitez needs his side to take maximum points in France to have any chance of qualifying for the Champions League which is vital to Liverpool's bank-balance, but if not, the world of football could look very different come Friday.

Liverpool fans, is Rafa doomed? Would you like to see Mancini at Anfield instead? Have your say below........

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