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Former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers intends to take a short break from football before returning to management.

The Northern Irishman has been left devastated by the decision to end his three-and-a-half year Anfield reign following Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison.

Having been backed by owners Fenway Sports Group in the summer, the 42-year-old expected to be given more time to transform the Reds’ fortunes this season as he looked to gel a squad containing seven new signings.

He had also lost captain Jordan Henderson with a broken foot, while Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino had joined the England international on the injury list.

Read more:why did Liverpool sack Rodgers?

Liverpool had only won one of their previous nine matches inside 90 minutes but were six games unbeaten following last month’s defeat at Old Trafford and just three points off a Champions League spot.

After taking a holiday, Rodgers will weigh up his options but he’s keen to accept a new challenge whether that’s in the Premier League or abroad.

Rodgers, who was the second longest serving manager in the top flight, spoke recently about his desire to “get to 1,000 games” in management and that he would probably have “another five or six jobs” over “20 odd years” in order to reach that milestone.

IN PICTURES: Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool career

It’s the second time Rodgers has been sacked during a managerial career which began at Watford in 2008 following spells in youth development at Reading and Chelsea.

He took over at Reading in June 2009 but just six months later he was dismissed with the Royals one place above the relegation zone in the Championship.

“For the first time in my life I felt I had failed,” he recalled in 2014. I probably read the script wrong thinking I had three years and instead I had 20 games. I either disappear and become an academy director, where I’d been for 14 years, or I show character and perseverance and go again.”

Talking point:Rodgers gone but problems not solved at Anfield

In July 2010 Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins came knocking. Rodgers’ impact in south Wales was instant as he earned promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs and then led them to a creditable 11th placed finish.

During his time at Liverpool he made a point of contacting out-of-work bosses and inviting them to Melwood. He often spoke about how a fear of failure was driving him on.

Being shown the door will hurt but in time there will surely be a sense of relief considering the acute pressure and scrutiny he was under. Rodgers’ ongoing battle to win over his doubters and prove his methods can deliver success at the highest level will continue elsewhere. He won’t be without a club for long.