If reports are true, Brendan Rodgers is clinging onto his Liverpool future by the flimsiest of threads.

With claims that the owners are lining up a replacement in the wake of the narrowest of narrow wins over League Two opponents Carlisle in the Capital One Cup last night, Off The Ball spoke The Times' Merseyside correspondent Tony Barrett about the situation and even if a sacking is not immediate, things appear to rather bleak for the former Swansea boss.

"I do think it's entered the phase where Brendan Rodgers' is on the ropes and he's one big blow away from being out there. I don't think he's got a long-term future unless something dramatic happens and Liverpool have the kind of upturn that no one can see coming at the minute," he said.

Barrett also touched on the looming Jurgen Klopp shadow, with different reports emanating about his interest in the job and the extent of Liverpool's interest in him and other managers.

"What I would say is that Jurgen Klopp let it be known back in June that he would be interested in joining the Premier League and Liverpool didn't bite and wanted to continue with Brendan Rodgers. The situation's changed now considerably and Brendan Rodgers appears to be on borrowed time."