Axing Brendan Rodgers was a no-brainer… if Juergen Klopp or Carlo Ancelotti comes in

The wisdom of sacking Brendan Rodgers can only really be judged when we know who replaces him.

Swiftly install Juergen Klopp or Carlo Ancelotti and it's a no-brainer.

That's a totally angst-free upgrade - argue all you like about Rodgers' good and bad points, of which he has many, but if you can get one of the best coaches in the world, you'd be crazy not to.

Rodgers is just unlucky there are two of them on the job market at the same time.

Liverpool's statement as good as acknowledged that they have been looking to replace Rodgers while he was still in the job:

Also, the fact that they have not named a caretaker boss is encouraging.

It can't be nice to learn your employer has been actively looking to replace you with someone better - a process that reached its absurd conclusion when Mark Hughes presided over his final game as Manchester City manager with Roberto Mancini reportedly in the building - but no sane club would sack the manager without first identifying the next guy.

But what if Liverpool really have played it by the book? If they really have deemed Rodgers' position untenable on its own merits, and only now are looking for a new man?

What if a prolonged search ends with them settling for the uncertain promise of Frank De Boer, Ronald Koeman or Garry Monk?

Liverpool fans will hope that's not the case.

Rodgers is a much ridiculed figure, and on one level it's understandable.

The (usually self-aggrandising) David Brent quotes, the portrait of himself in his house, that face he did at Ancelotti in the tunnel... in the internet age every personal quirk is ruthlessly preyed on, and Rodgers has provided ample cringeworthy entertainment.

His record is not so easy to dismiss.

Liverpool had no right even contesting the 2013/14 Premier League title, let alone coming within a greasy stud of winning the whole thing.

Yes, Luis Suarez was fantastic, and yes Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling gave fantastic support.

But no manager wins the league without some great players - the key is to use them properly and Rodgers did.

His recent toe-curling take: “I am the same guy who nearly won us the league, but better.”

But nearly winning Liverpool the league proved his undoing. After that, almost anything would prove a letdown. Bad as Liverpool's signings have been (not entirely Rodgers' fault) nobody could lose Suarez and improve the team.

Liverpool's owners love their Moneyball, so to use a phrase from advanced metrics, Rodgers has reverted to the mean.

He no longer looks like a special manager. His philosophy no longer beguiles, his project no longer convinces.

And when that happens - and you have a chance to bring in Klopp or Ancelotti, it's not much of a decision.

But if it's the third coming of King Kenny? Well, that's a different story.