Brendan Rodgers: Liverpool sack manager after Merseyside derby draw with Everton

Brendan Rodgers has been sacked by Liverpool after three-and-a-half years at Anfield, the club have confirmed. The move was announced hours after the 1-1 Merseyside derby draw with Everton at Goodison Park which left the club with one win in their last nine games.

The Reds have won just three Premier League games this season and after eight fixtures are already six points behind leaders Manchester City. Rodgers' departure follows the high-profile exits of Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling in successive summers, while former captain Steven Gerrard was also released in the off-season.

Among Rodgers' greatest failures was his miss-guided purchases in the transfer market which saw him spend £215m during his spell with Liverpool, but failing to win a single major trophy. During three full campaigns he delivered one season in the Champions League and a single genuine bid to win the league title, in the 2013-14 season when they finish two point behind eventual champions City. He becomes the second manager to leave a Premier League club this season after the resignation of Dick Advocaat at Sunderland.

"We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Brendan Rodgers for the significant contribution he has made to the club and express our gratitude for his hard work and commitment," a Liverpool statement released on behalf of Principal Owner John W Henry, Chairman Tom Werner and President Mike Gordon said. "All of us have experienced some wonderful moments with Brendan as manager and we are confident he will enjoy a long career in the game.

"Although this has been a difficult decision, we believe it provides us with the best opportunity for success on the pitch. Ambition and winning are at the heart of what we want to bring to Liverpool and we believe this change gives us the best opportunity to deliver it. The search for a new manager is underway and we hope to make an appointment in a decisive and timely manner."

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp and ex-Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, both of whom are unattached, are among the bookmakers' favourites for the job as is Ajax coach Frank de Boer. Liverpool's next fixture is against Tottenham Hotspur on 17 October, following the upcoming international break.