Ruben Amorim breaks silence on Liverpool links

Tom Weber

• Updated: 30 Mar 2024 13:25 GMT
• 3 min read

Sporting CP Ruben Amorim provided a tantalising answer to being quizzed about Liverpool's interest in his services.

The Portuguese head coach is now one of the favourites to replace Jurgen Klopp when he leaves Anfield after almost nine years in the summer. The Reds have been snubbed by top target Xabi Alonso and have been forced to shift their focus elsewhere.

Alonso announced on Friday that he intends to stay with Bayer Leverkusen at least for another season and this, it must be said, is the correct decision. Liverpool, thus, have moved on to Amorim and Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi in their search for a successor to Klopp.

Amorim, who has been impressing with Sporting CP for years now, is one of Europe's most in-demand managers, having also been heavily linked with the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea not just in recent times but already last year.

Amorim on LFC links

The Portuguese is still under contract with the Lisbon giants until 2026, which means that, in the event of Liverpool indeed deciding to pursue him, they would have to buy him out of his deal. There have been question marks surrounding his release clause, but the latest reports speak of a fee in the region of €15 million.

If triggered, it would be up to Amorim to decide his next steps and it seems he could be open to a summer switch if his response to a question about Liverpool's interest is anything to go by. Asked directly about the Reds, the 39-year-old insisted that he is focused on his current club before teasing that "we'll soon see what happens."

"I'm focused on Sporting. I'm very proud to be Sporting's coach. We're all focused on winning titles, but in the end, we'll soon see what happens [with Liverpool's interest]. I have a contract with Sporting, I'm very happy here. The focus is now on beating Benfica in the cup."