Brendan Rodgers sacked: Pepe Reina hopes 'old Liverpool come back' in suspected dig at former boss

The goalkeeper had a tetchy relationship with former Liverpool boss during their time at Anfield

Rodgers, left, and Reina have a discussion during a training session in 2012 (Getty Images)

Former Liverpool goalkeepr Pepe Reina has reiterated that he will always be a fan of Merseyside club, in what has been perceived as a dig at dismissed manager Brendan Rodgers.

The 33-year-old played under the Northern Irishman during the 2012/13 season and endured a fractious working relationship.

On his personal Twitter account, Reina said: "I will always be a fan & all I want now is to see the old Liverpool come back for the players and the supporters who deserve the best. YNWA"

Relation between the pair became strained during Rodgers' first season at club because of Reina's openness to overtures from Barcelona. In turn, the new manager's subsequent contingency planning and courting of Reina's eventual replacement Simon Mignolet unsettled the Spanish 'keeper,

The following season, Reina was sent on loan to Napoli under former manager Rafael Benitez and published a 'goodbye' letter to Liverpool supporters on his official website.

His premature farewell effectively ended any chance of him returning to Anfield and his nine-year association with the club was brought to an end in 2014 when he joined Bayern Munich.

Rodgers' dismissal was confirmed following the 1-1 draw with Everton in the 225th Merseyside derby on Sunday. Pressure had been mounting on the 42-year-old coach since his side succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against Manchester United last month.

Jurgen Klopp, who made his name as coach of Borussia Dortmund, is the favourite to replace Rodgers at Anfield. Reports suggest that the club hope to have confirmed the German coach's arrival by this weekend.

Carlo Ancelotti, formerly of AC Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid, is another high-profile candidate who has been heavily linked with the post. However, despite initially favouring the Italian, Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group are believed to have installed Klopp as their first-choice.

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