Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen dismayed at Colin Pascoe sacking

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen is saddened by the club's decision to sack Colin Pascoe from the backroom team.

Pascoe worked alongside Brendan Rodgers as his assistant manager at Merseyside having made the move with him from Swansea City in 2012.

After a troubled 2014-15 season where Liverpool limped to a sixth place finish and missed out on Champions League qualification, Rodgers survived an end-of-season review with the club's owners Fenway Sports Group.

Pascoe didn't however, and was released with a year to run on his contract. Having worked with the coach for much of his career, ex-Swansea midfielder Allen was left particularly dismayed with the decision.

"I am very disappointed, he has been someone who's been instrumental in my career," Allen was quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "We've worked together for... must be nine years, so he has been a huge part of my career, a massive help to me on a personal level.

"I am very grateful for all the effort he has put in with me and it's certain without someone like Pas' help I doubt I'd be playing at a club like Liverpool."

Pascoe's departure followed a dismal season for Liverpool where the club exited the Champions League before Christmas, suffered elimination from the FA Cup and League Cup at the semi-final stage and ended their season with a 6-1 hammering at the hands of Stoke City.

A number of candidates have expressed their interest in taking the role as Rodgers' right hand man including former Liverpool players Sami Hyypia and Boudewijn Zenden.

Hyypia, who took over at Championship Brighton in June 2014 after a spell at Bayer Leverkusen, told the Times in May he would be happy to return to an assistant role if no other "interesting opportunities" arise.

Zenden meanwhile, who served as Rafa Benitez's assistant manager during his brief spell in charge of Chelsea in the 2012-13 season later hinted he would be open to a role at Anfield, telling Dutch daily De Telegraaf: "I keep all my options open for the new season. I have always enjoyed myself in the Premier League."