Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina favoured Rafael Benitez as the club's next manager, it has emerged.

The Mirror claims that the Spaniard and several of his teammates were backing the former Anfield boss to make a return before Brendan Rodgers emerged as the frontrunner.

"For many of my colleagues and me, Rafa Benitez would be the ideal candidate," the newspaper quotes Reina as saying.

"It's not that I'm not objective about it, but he is the coach who shaped me most. He is the best."

The report has sparked rumours that Rodgers's first task as Liverpool manager could be to win over the dressing room.

Rodgers is expected to be unveiled as Liverpool's nest manager during a press conference at 10am tomorrow (June 1).