Former Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor believes a move to Liverpool would be a "backward step" for manager Martin O'Neill.

O'Neill is second favourite behind Kenny Dalglish with the bookmakers for the Anfield hotseat, after Rafa Benitez left the Reds yesterday.

Taylor told the Express & Star: "Why would Martin want to go to Liverpool right now? I really hope it doesn't happen and, if it did, I wouldn't understand it.

"It would be a backwards step. I think historically and in terms of heritage Liverpool is a great club, but at the moment you would definitely say Villa are ahead of them.

"It's a far more stable club and they've just finished ahead of them in the league. If you were going to become manager there you'd want assurances over finances and keeping your best players, but I think they'll struggle to keep Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard."