A 1-1 draw against Everton in the Merseyside Derby on Sunday wasn't enough to save Brendan Rodgers from being sacked by Liverpool.

After a lukewarm start to the English Premier League campaign – following a disappointing finish where Liverpool ended up sixth last season – the American owners have decided to put an abrupt end to the Brendan Rodgers project, by firing the Northern Irishman with "immediate effect."

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"Liverpool Football Club have announced that Brendan Rodgers will leave his post with immediate effect after having his contract terminated," Liverpool said in a statement on their website. "The process to appoint a new manager is underway."

Rodgers was appointed the new Liverpool manager in June 2012, with the Liverpool team enjoying their best season under the Norther Irishman in 2013-14, when the Reds challenged for the title, before falling just short to Manchester City.

If that title challenge was really down to Rodgers' skills as a manager or Luis Suarez's ridiculous brilliance is a debate that will be had for a long time, but, obviously, the Liverpool hierarchy have decided it is time for a change.

"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 Fenway Sports Group statement from 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."

Liverpool could only pick up a point at Goodison Park earlier on Sunday, a result which left Rodgers' men in tenth, on 12 points from eight matches, and six behind the leaders Manchester City.

While that is not necessarily alarming, there was that sense that this Liverpool side were not really progressing under Rodgers, even if the early sacking has come as a bit of a surprise.

Now the biggest question will be -- Who will replace Rodgers? Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti are the two biggest names who have been linked with the job, and if Liverpool can manage to convince either of them to move to Anfield, it will certainly be seen as a coup.

With the international break coming up, the Liverpool owners have about two weeks to appoint their new manager, if they plan to have one at the helm before the start of their next Premier League game, which is against Tottenham on 17 October.