Brendan Rodgers has agreed a deal to become the new manager of Liverpool Football Club. The 39-year-old is understood to have signed a three-year contract at Anfield and his appointment is likely to be officially confirmed within 24 hours. Liverpool will pay between £4m and £5m in compensation to secure the Northern Irishman's services. Liverpool sacked former manager Kenny Dalglish on 16 May after finishing eighth in the Premier League. The Reds were 17 points away from a Champions League qualification spot, but won the League Cup and reached the FA Cup final. In contrast, Rodgers guided his Swansea side to an impressive first season in the top flight, including a 1-0 win over Liverpool on the final day of the season. After parting ways with Dalglish, Liverpool embarked on an extensive search for a new manager. The Reds have been linked not only with Rodgers and Wigan manager Roberto Martinez but also former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, ex-England coach Fabio Capello, and Ajax manager Frank de Boer, among others. The Northern Irishman declined the opportunity to speak to Liverpool about the vacancy 12 days ago, and instead the club's hierarchy sought a meeting with Wigan's Martinez. But it appears Rodgers was always the preferred candidate, despite Wigan chairman Dave Whelan at one point suggesting his manager had been offered the job at Anfield. Rodgers's managerial career began at Watford in 2008 after coaching spells at Reading and Chelsea. There followed an unhappy period in charge of Reading but, after his appointment as Swansea boss in July 2010, Rodgers guided his Welsh side to promotion to the top flight in May 2011, making Swansea the first Welsh team to reach the Premier League.