Liverpool fans convinced club have found Jurgen Klopp’s replacement as legend returns to shadow outgoing boss

FANS have speculated that Fernando Torres will make a stunning return to Liverpool as manager after he shadowed outgoing boss Jurgen Klopp in training.

The strike icon left Anfield under a cloud on the pitch but could come back to a sunny future off it - judging by two major factors.

Torres is thriving in charge of Atletico Madrid Under-19s - and Liverpool invited him to oversee practice for Sunday's home game with Brighton.

Klopp has confirmed he's leaving Liverpool in the summer after nine years.

And the Reds' reported top target Xabi Alonso insists he will stay as manager of runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

That helped send speculation spiralling after Torres' special day on Merseyside.

The 40-year-old, a dashing success with the Reds from 2007-11, wanted to see how the current regime of Klopp and assistant boss Pep Lijnders operate.

He told Liverpool's X account: "I've had the opportunity to see how everything works from the inside, which is great.

'I'm a big fan of Jurgen and his staff and all around the AXA training facility, which is very different than when I was here. 

"So obviously the club grows a lot, and I have the chance to see why.

'"There are many reasons. It's amazing to be here and to be able to meet with Jurgen and Pep and all the staff to learn and try to understand the Liverpool way."

The 110-cap Spaniard had irked some fans 13 years ago when he heralded his move to Chelsea by saying he had finally joined a "top club".

But many are excited by the "amazing" idea of him succeeding Klopp.

"Could Torres be the next Liverpool coach?" asked one, and "Next coach?" posted another.

Plenty more positive responses followed, such as: "He's always welcome" ... "the legend" ... and "We appreciate his dedication to embodying the spirit of Liverpool Football Club."

Torres was seen in the new dressing-room footage laughing with Mo Salah.

Liverpool's Egyptian frontman then joked with England star Trent Alexander-Arnold that the Anfield old boy was ";fitter than you!"

TAA responded just as light-heartedly by telling Salah that Torres was a "better" finisher than him.

Meanwhile, it might be too early in the Atletico hero's coaching career for such a big job as Liverpool.

Nevertheless, after three years bossing the Madrid giants' juniors, he could be due for some sort of step up.