One of the men who played a key role in Carlisle United's success in the Paul Simpson era has joined Liverpool.

Russ Richardson, the Blues' former chief scout, has joined the scouting department at the Anfield club.

Richardson has left Aberdeen, where he was head of recruitment and whose work involved helping the Pittodrie club land Sam Cosgrove from the Cumbrians.

Both the Liverpool Echo and The Times now report he will help scout for British talent for Jurgen Klopp's team.

Richardson was a trusted part of Paul Simpson's backroom team and was involved in the recruitment of a host of key players as the Cumbrian led his home-city club to success in the 2004/5 and 2005/6 seasons.

Richardson then followed Simpson to Preston in 2006 while he later worked at Bristol City before an eight-year stint at Aberdeen.

Whilst at Pittodrie, he scouted striker Cosgrove, who Aberdeen signed for about £40,000 - later selling him to Birmingham for £2m, a move that also earned Carlisle a six-figure sell-on fee.

His role at Aberdeen ended in May, and it is reported he will now work under Liverpool's head of scouting and recruitment Dave Fallows, and chief scout Barry Hunter.