Liverpool sack manager Brendan Rodgers with immediate effect

New Delhi: Liverpool sacked manager Brendan Rodgers with immediate effect on Sunday within an hour of Sunday's game at Merseyside rivals Everton.

A club statement said, "Brendan Rodgers will leave his post with immediate effect after having his contract terminated. The process to appoint a new manager is underway."

The Reds, regarded as the most successful English club along with Manchester United, drew with Everton to leave them 10th in the Premier League and six points behind the leaders Manchester City after the end of round 8.

“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 statement added.

The Northern Irishman joined the Anfield outfit on June 2012, and helped the club to second place finish in the 2013-14. They lost put to City, despite leading the league table with three games to go to the final day.

He was communicated of the decision by Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre.

In a joint Fenway Sports Group statement, Principal Owner John W Henry, Chairman Tom Werner and President Mike Gordon said, “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."

Carlo Ancelotti, Frank de Boer and Jurgen Klopp have each been linked to replace Rodgers, after their poor start to the season.

The statement further read, “The search for a new manager is underway and we hope to make an appointment in a decisive and timely manner.”

During Rodger's reign, Anfield witnessed the departures of four big names in Jamie Carragher, Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard.