Brendan Rodgers to Manchester City Rumours Sparked by Danny Murphy

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has suggested Manchester City may try to lure Brendan Rodgers away from Liverpool if they sack Manuel Pellegrini.

Although Murphy admits the prospect of Rodgers leaving Anfield is highly unlikely, he discussed whispers heard through the grapevine on talkSPORT.

"I have heard, and I don't necessarily think this would ever happen but, with all of Man City's money and power, they may try and steal Brendan Rodgers from Liverpool. I can't see Liverpool ever letting Rodgers go [though] because of how good he is and how good he could go on to be," he said.

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Murphy believes Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone is the "standout candidate," saying, "I have never seen a team play for a manager like Atletico, they are incredible. They are nonstop." Murphy said Simeone's ability to be successful over multiple seasons—after being forced to sell world-class stars—makes him "the man."

Simeone is reportedly on the verge of inking a new deal at the Vicente Calderon, however, as reported by AS. Whether he's the man for City remains to be seen.

Pellegrini's reign is being heavily scrutinised after the club's elimination from the Champions League against Barcelona. Add the fact City are six points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, having already failed to put together runs in the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup, and it's grim reading for the Chilean boss.

Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World reports comments from Pellegrini, who appears calm in public:

Associated Press writer Rob Harris, via Yahoo Sports, said Pellegrini "cannot grumble if the club's hierarchy already has his replacement lined up."

Rodgers is an outside choice and would be one of the more difficult candidates to pursue, with Oddschecker listing odds as high as 40-1 for this to happen.

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The Northern Irishman has shown he has the credentials to manage top clubs, though. He has dragged Liverpool away from the wilderness and into the Champions League, making them an exciting, attack-minded team who are difficult to break down. Rodgers' 3-4-2-1 formation is more complex than most, relying on creative players putting in defensive work to aid the ball-playing back three.

Pellegrini has rarely shown such invention, often sticking to a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation. City possess immense attacking talent, only strengthened by the January arrival of Wilfried Bony, but Pellegrini becomes too cautious in big matches.

This was highlighted during Wednesday's loss to Barcelona, in which he waited until the 72nd minute to introduce a second striker, per Soccerway. City needed two goals to level the aggregate score, but Pellegrini opted to play safe.

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Rodgers can't be accused of doing that with Liverpool, as summarised by his switch to three at the back earlier this season. The Reds have lost just once in 90 minutes across 24 matches since this change took place, recorded by Soccerway.

Of course, Pellegrini is yet to receive his marching orders, and Liverpool wouldn't let Rodgers leave without a major battle. The Etihad Stadium is surely tempting for any manager, but Rodgers is building a compelling squad on Merseyside right now. It would undermine his own work to move on.

Murphy's comments paint an interesting scenario and add to the suggestion City could find a manager more suited to landing long-term success.