Dowie: O'Neill is in the running

The following story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club:

Martin O'Neill's close pal Iain Dowie admits he wouldn't blame the Villa boss for being interested in the Liverpool vacancy after labelling it a 'special' job.

O'Neill and Dowie struck up a friendship while covering the 2006 World Cup for the BBC having previously met through their Northern Ireland connections.

Kenny Dalglish and managing director Christian Purslow have been set the task of finding Rafa Benitez's replacement at Anfield and O'Neill remains a serious contender.

Several big names have been linked but Fulham's Roy Hodgson and O'Neill are still considered to be leading candidates, despite Villa and Randy Lerner's determination to keep hold of their boss.

It remains to be seen whether O'Neill would be interested in taking charge of the Reds, however, Dowie, whose own managerial career remains in limbo after his contract ended at relegated Hull, wouldn't be surprised if O'Neill was unable to resist the temptation of a new challenge on Merseyside.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail at the Grass Roots Football LIVE event at the NEC, Dowie said: "Is Martin a serious candidate for the Liverpool job? No question.

"He would run Liverpool with strong discipline and his player selection is generally excellent. It doesn't surprise me that he's in the running, Kenny Dalglish and Roy Hodgson are also outstanding candidates.

"I have to say, that (the Liverpool vacancy) is a premier job, one of the top jobs. It's an outstanding club with outstanding fans. It is among the big three jobs in the country.

"I wouldn't blame Martin for being interested, Villa are in that big seven but I think Liverpool, along with Manchester United, are certainly one of the biggest in the world. They've had a difficult time but they'll be back better than ever.

"No-one decides what Martin wants to do. Let's not be disrespectful to Villa because they are a fantastic club, Martin's at a massive club now that are in with the biggest six or seven clubs in the country in terms of fan base and finances.

"But Liverpool and Manchester United are special clubs, historically it's difficult to look further than that."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.