London, Oct 6 (IANS): As Liverpool fans eagerly awaited news of a new coach to take over, the fortunes the English club have dwindled further after the shock sacking of Brendan Rodgers.

Former Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is reported to be Liverpool's first choice to replace Rodgers, who was sacked on Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Acknowledging the parting of the ways became inevitable in the wake of Liverpool's dismal performance this season, the city's main newspaper posed a question.

"If Brendan Rodgers was not to blame for a lack of progress at Liverpool the finger could only point in one other direction," wrote Andy Kelly, editor of Liverpool FC coverage at the Liverpool Echo on Monday.

Kelly added: "And that is across the Atlantic, to a group of largely absentee landlords who - despite the decision being pre-planned - did not even deign to deliver the eviction notice from the Anfield dug-out face-to-face."

"Chief executive Ian Ayre - the local bailiff if you will - did the job after an initial call from across The Pond, ending a three and a half year reign which came agonisingly close to glory."

He was referring to Fenway Sports Group (FSG), American owners of the club.

Feelings were mixed among club faithfuls, some breathing a sigh of relief that the deed had been done, others refusing to condemn the likeable Rodgers.

His sudden departure after the 1-1 draw in Sunday's local derby against near neighbours Everton left other club managers shocked, some rallying to Rodgers' defence.

Some fans at the Anfield stadium, though, were not as forgiving.

"Rodgers has presided over the dumbing down of the squad from European contenders to mid table mediocracy," a comment in a sports website said on Monday.

Liverpool fans want the 18-time league champions to return to the glory days when it had a boot room full of intelligent football men.

"Now they have the chance to do it again, by recruiting Kenny Dalglish , with Gary McCallister, Jamie Carragher Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler all working together knowing they have the full knowledge of what is expected of our club. Forget transfer committees, they don't work," a club fan support group said on Monday.

The chances are, though, that across the Atlantic the men who rule Anfield are already setting their sights on a big name replacement from mainland Europe.

As well as Klopp, the names of former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and Ajax manager Frank de Boer are also in the frame.

With Liverpool currently in mid-table (10th place) in the English Premier League, three spots behind Everton, Anfield needs a miracle man to propel the club into a top flight place with European glory as the only goal acceptable.