Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was the first person told of Brendan Rodgers’ sacking, and asked to pass on the message to his team-mates.

The Daily Mail report that Henderson was the one who informed Liverpool’s players of Rodgers’ sacking, presumably while stuffing his captain’s armband into his pocket and telling them to “get the f**k back”.

Rodgers was informed of his sacking by FSG president Mike Gordon, who then asked Henderson to relay the news to the rest of the squad.

The Mail use an unnamed source, who reveals that the players are excited about working with Jurgen Klopp.

“It was always thought that the owners would wait until Christmas and if they were not in the top six then they would have a decision to make,” the source said. “The speculation would not go away but the timing – after a win and a draw – was interesting. Jordan was asked to deliver the news. “There is sadness at the way it worked out with Brendan but an acceptance that it’s football and these things happen. There is a belief that the new man can come in and provide an immediate impact.”

The suggestion is that while Liverpool’s players were saddened by the news, there was no huge shock given the weeks of speculation.