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Now Liverpool turn to Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers is expected to meet Liverpool's owners in the next few days as they continue their search for Kenny Dalglish's replacement.

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Brendan Rodgers is expected to meet Liverpool's owners in the next few days as they continue their search for Kenny Dalglish's replacement.

The Swansea manager has emerged as the biggest rival to Wigan's Roberto Martinez, with suggestions the Spaniard is not happy at the prospect of working under a director of football who would have a major, and possibly, final say in the club's transfer policy.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has already met former Holland manager Louis van Gaal to sound him out about filling the sporting director role and the club seem determined to operate a two-tier management structure.

Van Gaal had talks with Ayre in Portugal last week and there have been claims the Dutchman has also discussed moving to Merseyside alongside his former assistant Andries Jonker, who has announced he is leaving Bayern Munich.

Van Gaal is a highly respected figure, having won titles in Spain, Holland and Germany with Barcelona, Ajax and Bayern Munich and has had a long-standing desire to test himself in England.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has expressed an interest in the vacancy and would be willing to work under his compatriot, although Liverpool are not thought to be interested in speaking to him at this stage. Martinez, who has complete authority as manager at Wigan and takes an active interest in every level of the club, could be reluctant to operate without control of recruitment at Anfield.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan hinted last week that Martinez had sought assurances about the extent of his power should he accept the job, which appears to have reopened the door for Rodgers.

Martinez has been interviewed twice by Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports, and there were suggestions over the weekend he would be unveiled as Liverpool's new manager on Tuesday.

They appear to have been premature and Liverpool will now speak to Rodgers as they refuse to be rushed into making a decision.

Although there has been pressure for a quick appointment following the sacking of Dalglish, Rodgers has always been in Liverpool's thinking after achieving so much at Swansea following promotion to the top flight.

As with Martinez, Liverpool have admired not just the results Rodgers has achieved with limited resources in south Wales, but also the attractive style of football employed to do it.

Should Van Gaal accept a senior role where he can advise the man in the dugout, Liverpool's preference is for a young manager to shape the team on the pitch.

In turn, Aston Villa have paused in their hunt for a new manager as they would also like to speak to Martinez.

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