David Ornstein tells Liverpool fans to 'keep an eye' on little-known former staff member in new manager search

David Ornstein has dropped fresh information on Liverpool’s search for Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

The Reds have been searching for a new manager since Klopp announced he was set to end his nine-and-a-half-year tenure at Anfield at the end of the season.

Xabi Alonso was initially considered the favourite, only for the 42-year-old Spaniard to commit his future to Bayer Leverkusen for another season.

Meanwhile, the likes of Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting manager Ruben Amorim have also been linked.

The Athletic’s transfer guru Ornstein claimed that Amorim is “very much in the frame” at Liverpool, though added that at present there was no frontrunner for the job.

He said: “My most recent information is that he is very much in the frame for Liverpool - not Barcelona - and conversations have taken place.

“But despite many on the outside suggesting he is the top target, I'm not sure that's the case internally. [That’s] not because someone else is or he won't become that but because there isn't one while Liverpool continue with what will be a thorough process.

“Clearly, Amorim is a wanted man and I definitely expect him to leave Sporting this summer. I hear the Premier League is his preference and we don't know for sure yet but there could well be multiple vacancies.

“So even if Liverpool do decide to go for him he will also need to decide if they are where he wants to go.

“Whoever takes Amorim will need to pay Sporting for his services; I've been told the figure this summer is €10m (£8.58million). Others have reported higher but whatever the precise figure, it is a lot lower than it was when Chelsea spoke to him before appointing both Potter and then Pochettino.”

Amorim has been strongly linked with the Liverpool job (Getty)

Ornstein added that former Liverpool coach Paulo Barreira, who currently works under Amorim in Portugal, may return to Anfield should the Sporting boss be lured to Merseyside.

Ornstein said: “An additional point worth mentioning is that one of Amorim's key staff members is Paulo Barreira, who is an injury prevention/conditioning expert and used to work at Liverpool.

“If things do develop in the direction of Amorim to Liverpool, Barreira is probably someone to keep an eye on.”