Liverpool Sack Dalglish

Liverpool have terminated the contract of manager Kenny Dalglish, owners Fenway Sports Group and the club have confirmed.

The announcement comes just 24 hours after the Scot returned from a meeting with principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner in the United States.

Despite winning the Carling Cup and reaching the final of the FA Cup, Dalglish paid the price for a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League.

A 14th defeat of the season at Swansea on the final day of the season condemned the club to their worst league finish for 18 years and their lowest points tally (52) since 1953/54.

“Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool Football Club announce that Kenny Dalglish is to leave his post today as manager after having his contract terminated,” said a joint statement.

“After a careful and deliberative review of the season the club came to the decision that a change was appropriate.

“It is not a decision that was reached lightly or hastily.

“The search for a new manager will begin immediately.”

From the moment he was appointed, Dalglish insisted he would do whatever was necessary for the benefit of Liverpool.

On departing the club, which has been a huge part of his life over the last four decades he said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to come back to Liverpool Football Club as manager.

“I greatly appreciate the work that Steve (Clarke), Kevin (Keen), the players and all of the staff put in during my time and feel proud that we delivered the club's first trophy in six years, winning the Carling Cup, and came close to a second trophy in the FA Cup final.

“Of course I am disappointed with results in the league but I would not have swapped the Carling Cup win for anything as I know how much it meant to our fans and the club to be back winning trophies.'