Five games central to Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool downfall

ByPA Sport Report

Updated 04/10/2015 at 19:49 GMT

The origins of Brendan Rodgers' sacking as Liverpool manager began long before this season.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers looks dejected

Image credit: Reuters

Here, Press Association Sport looks at the games which cost him dearly.

MANCHESTER UNITED 3 LIVERPOOL 1, SEPTEMBER 12 2015 - read the report.

The result which finally turned the tide against Rodgers - the ease with which United dismissed their long time rivals will not have been lost on those in power residing in Boston. It was one of the most insipid performances against their arch-rivals in a long time - so much so that the scoreline flattered Liverpool. This result was on the heels of the a shambles at West Ham...

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Anthony Martial celebrates after scoring the third goal for Manchester United

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LIVERPOOL 0 WEST HAM 3, AUGUST 29 2015 - read the report.

Liverpool came into this encounter having won two and drawn one of their opening three games – and, crucially after last season’s defensive travails, had conceded no goals. There was talk of Liverpool having turned a corner. Yet they were 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.

West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate, Diafra Sakho and Reece Oxford celebrate at the end of the match

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STOKE 6 LIVERPOOL 1, MAY 24 2015 - read the report.

The Reds were humiliated in Steven Gerrard's last match for the club. This performance was so bad that they were 5-0 down at half-time after a completely clueless performance. How Rodgers survived this shambles is quite remarkable, as it was a complete and utter capitulation that pointed at deep-rooted issues at the club.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard looks dejected as Stoke City celebrate at full time

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LIVERPOOL 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 3, MAY 16 2015 - read the read the report.

Despite taking the lead they were outplayed by a team with more desire and energy. Aside from being Steven Gerrard's last game at Anfield, this game had very little riding on it yet the Reds put in an utterly underwhelming performance as they were easily beaten. These are the exact type of games that clubs with pretentions of being a top four side have to win. Under Rodgers, Liverpool failed to do so time and again.

Wilfried Zaha celebrates with manager Alan Pardew after scoring the second goal for Crystal Palace

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HULL 1 LIVERPOOL 0, APRIL 28 2015 - read the read the report.

Liverpool's hopes of a top four finish and Champions League football were all but killed off by Michael Dawson's first goal for Hull City in a 1-0 defeat at the KC Stadium - this was typical of typical of their late-season malaise. Hull were rightly relegated and the very fact that Liverpool could not beat them with prize of Champions League football on the tabel was a damning indictment of Liverpool and Rodgers.