Sports Betting: Benitez Set For Anfield Exit?

British bookmakers offer reduced odds on a managerial exit at Liverpool.

Bookmakers have slashed their odds on Rafa Benitez becoming the first Premier League manager to leave his job this season after a flurry of bets.

Following Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the opening game and claims that the Spanish boss has minimal transfer funds at his disposal, a large number of punters have been backing Benitez to leave Anfield.

William Hill cut their odds on the Liverpool manager being the first to go from 20/1 to 11/2 on Wednesday (August 19th), while Paddy Power has made Benitez their 9/4 favourite for the first managerial departure.

"We have seen a string of punters asking for bets of up to £300 a time for Benitez to be the first boss to go," said Graham Sharpe, spokesperson for William Hill.

Helen Jacob of Sky Bet added: "Benitez was a 33/1 outsider pre-season to be the first victim of the Premier League sack race but we've seen a steady stream of bets on him and the odds have been cut several times as a result."

Having recovered from their defeat at Spurs with a 4-0 home win over Stoke City on Wednesday, Liverpool face Aston Villa at Anfield on Monday night.