The odds of a liberal pope now are slim to none.
It will be hard to replace Pope Benedict though; he sets a high bar.
But higher if the conclave looks to Latin America or Africa for a replacement, as has been speculated. Regardless, no Pope has had his predecessor looking over his shoulder for 600 years, and that one had his predecessor tossed into prison. I doubt the next Pope will have that option.
It seems whenever we elect a new Pontiff the left salvates with hope that the new Pope will mean the Church will sanction gay marriage and abortion and contraception. Not likely. A new Pope scares me that something will happen...like state interference with the Papal election process either flagrantly or covertly. Dictators, in a creepy sort of way, are obsessed with the power and influence of the Church. They want it for themselves.