Liverpool haven't approached Roberto Martinez for the managerial position as yet, according to Wigan, with the Merseyside club currently on the lookout for a replacement for the departed Kenny Dalglish.

Dalglish was sacked by Fenway Sports Group yesterday, as the Reds reflected on a particularly disappointing season.

The side finished eighth in the Premier League table, and though they won the Carling Cup, Liverpool had been heavily banking on Champions League football next season for financial reasons as well as to bring the prestige of being in Europe's premier competition back to the side.

With Dalglish now gone, the club are weighing up possible candidates for the role of manager, and Martinez's name has been thrown up as a possibility after the manager's work with Wigan.

The Spaniard's ability to make his side outplay opposition that looks far stronger on paper has given him a just reputation as a top manager in English football, and as a result many clubs have been reportedly chasing Martinez's services.

Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez is a target for Liverpool. Reuters

And Liverpool could be the perfect step up for Martinez, with a much bigger budget available to the Wigan man and the opportunity to aim for Champions League football.

But Latics chairman Dave Whelan insists that there has been no contact over a possible move to Anfield, telling Sky Sports: "At this moment in time, there has been no approach from Liverpool or any other club for Roberto Martinez."

Aston Villa were also interested in taking on Martinez last summer, and had a meeting with the manager. After Alex McLeish was sacked at the end of this season, speculation came up once again that he may be approached.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have also been strongly connected to Andre Villas-Boas, after the former Chelsea manager was sensationally sacked mid-season by Blues' Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

The club will no doubt be looking for a manager who can get the side straight into the Champions League, and Pep Guardiola would likely be the top candidate, if he is willing to come out of retirement after refusing to renew his contract with Barcelona.