MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2015: Liverpool's manager Brendan Rodgers during the Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Five games that signalled Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool downfall

The origins of Brendan Rodgers’ sacking as Liverpool manager began long before this season. Here, Press Association Sport looks at the games which cost him dearly.

MANCHESTER UNITED 3 LIVERPOOL 1, SEPTEMBER 12 2015

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2015: Liverpool's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet looks dejected as Manchester United score the third goal during the Premier League match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The result which finally turned the tide against Rodgers. One of the most insipid performances against their arch-rivals in a long time.

LIVERPOOL 0 WEST HAM 3, AUGUST 29 2015

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2015: West Ham United's Manuel Lanzini celebrates scoring the first goal against Liverpool during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Taken apart at home by a West Ham side who did not even have to be that good to register their first win at Anfield in 52 years.

STOKE 6 LIVERPOOL 1, MAY 24 2015

STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2015: Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard walk off dejected as his side are losing 5-0 to lowly Stoke City during the Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Humiliated in Steven Gerrard’s last match for the club, they were 5-0 down at half-time after a completely clueless performance.

LIVERPOOL 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 3, MAY 16 2015

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 16, 2015: Liverpool's manager Brendan Rodgers and Crystal Palace's manager Alan Pardew during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Despite taking the lead they were outplayed by a team with more desire and energy.

HULL 1 LIVERPOOL 0, APRIL 28 2015

KINGSTON-UPON-HULL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 28, 2015: Liverpool's Martin Skrtel and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet appeal as they concede the first goal against Hull City during the Premier League match at the KC Stadium. (Pic by Gareth Jones/Propaganda)

The defeat which ended slim Champions League qualification hopes was typical of their late-season malaise, as they lost dismally without a fight to a relegation-threatened side who did eventually go down.