Jurgen Klopp favourite for Liverpool job after Brendan Rodgers is sacked as manager on dramatic Merseyside derby day

Brendan Rodgers has been sacked as Liverpool manager. The Northern Irishman was told after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Everton that his three-and-a-half year reign in charge at Anfield was over.

Rodgers, whose side have only won one of their last nine games in 90 minutes, was informed in a phone call by a member of Fenway Sports Group's executive committee of the club's decision.

It is thought that former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is the favourite for the vacant Anfield post ahead of ex-Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

He has been under pressure since the start of the season but Rodgers is understood to have taken the decision in a dignified way.

No decision has been made about whether Sean O'Driscoll, Gary McAllister and Pejin Linders - the coaching staff that was put together in the summer following the departures of Colin Pascoe and Mike Marsh - will follow.

A statement on Liverpool's website read: 'Liverpool Football Club has announced that Brendan Rodgers will leave his post with immediate effect after having his contract terminated. The process to appoint a new manager is underway.'

In a joint Fenway Sports Group statement, 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.

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.'

Liverpool legend and Sportsmail columnist Jamie Carragher backed Klopp as the man to take up the vacant post on Friday night.

'Carlo Ancelotti, Champions League winner three times, they know what Klopp did at Borussia Dortmund, we were all excited by them over the last few years. If it was me I would go for Klopp ahead of Ancelotti. I think he's got more to prove.

'I think Liverpool is not an easy job now. I think Ancelotti is a great manager of course but he gone to clubs where you expect to win trophies. It's a difficult job now at Liverpool to get them back into the top four.'

RODGERS' RECORD

Played 165

Won 83

Drawn 40

Lost 42