Sunday 4 October 2015 23:48, UK
Arsene Wenger says he is saddened by Liverpool's decision to sack "quality manager" Brendan Rodgers.
Liverpool's derby draw at Goodison Park was followed a few hours later by a club statement announcing an end to the Rodgers era after three years and 125 days.
That statistic made Rodgers the Premier League's second-longest-serving manager before his sacking - almost 16 years short of the 19 Wenger has racked up at Arsenal.
A highlight of his Anfield reign was a 5-1 victory over Arsenal in 2014, when his Liverpool side finished just two points behind champions Manchester City.
News of Liverpool's decision broke as Wenger was facing the press in the wake of his side's victory over Manchester United.
He said: "I'm always sad when that happens. I think he's a quality manager and unfortunately the pressure is always bigger on the managers, and to resist the disappointments more difficult.
"I think what he had done at Liverpool...he was very unlucky not to win the Premier League. He was the closest certainly of all the managers working for the club, but that's the way it goes now.
"I wish him good luck. I'm sure he will find a job again."
Further support for Rodgers came from his former club Swansea, where manager Garry Monk was stunned by Liverpool's decision.
"I can't believe that. A very, very harsh decision. I don't think he deserved that at all," said Monk, who played under Rodgers at the south Wales club.
"He is a top manager. You don't know what goes on behind closed doors but I was surprised.
"I will speak to him at some point. He was fantastic here at Swansea. I can't see who else is going to do a better job for Liverpool at this moment in time so I am sad to hear that.
"I learned so much from him - he gave me the in-depth insight to be a manager and he is a top man as well. I am very surprised. It doesn't make sense to me, to be honest."
