Liverpool are believed to have sent club representatives to watch Ruben Amorim’s Sporting CP as they narrow their shortlist of managers to replace Jurgen Klopp, according to reports.
The heavily decorated manager’s nine-year stint at Anfield will come to an end with the close of this campaign, after Klopp broke the news that he was ‘running out of energy’ and making the decision to leave in late January.
The Reds are determined to give the German head coach a send-off to remember as they continue to compete on all fronts after securing their first piece of silverware – the Carabao Cup – last weekend.
But the Liverpool hierarchy are keen to secure a successor ahead of Klopp’s departure in a bid to ease the transition between eras, with Amorim considered alongside Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi.
As per the Mirror, the Merseyside club are in the thick of additional due diligence before inviting the manager to interview for the role.
Liverpool reportedly sent scouts to watch Ruben Amorim’s side Sporting in their Taca de Portugal match against Benfica
The Portuguese side beat their Preimeira Liga rivals 2-1 in the first leg of their semi-final
Bayer Leverkusen coach – and formal Liverpool player – Xabi Alonso (pictured) remains the front runner to replace Jurgen Klopp
Amorim had been considered for the top spot at Chelsea at various points – first following the sacking of then-manager Tuchel in September 2022, and later the departure of Graham Potter in April 2023.
The head coach was thought to have had a release clause in his contract worth an estamated £8.5million, but this figure is believed to have been slashed significantly.
The 39-year-old’s Sporting side sit second in the Primeira Liga this season, with Amorim named Manager of the Month in January.
With Liverpool’s scouts in attendance, they beat table-topping rivals Benfica 2-1 in the first leg of their Taca de Portugal semi-final.
The club are in the process of considering a range of candidates due to potential difficulties they could have securing frontrunner Alonso.
The former Liverpool midfielder has had a revelatory season at Bayer Leverkusen, with his side currently unbeaten since the start of their campaign and sitting atop the Bundesliga, seven points clear of their closest rival, Bayern Munich.
Bayern sacked head coach Thomas Tuchel last week and are in the hunt for his replacement. Like Liverpool, they will be keen to draw upon Alonso’s ties to the side as a player in a bid to tempt him to the Allianz.
Jurgen Klopp will leave the Merseyside club after nine decorated years at the helm of Liverpool
Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi is also thought to be under consideration at Anfield
On Wednesday, Mail Sport reported that Liverpool had reached out to Alonso’s agent Inaki Ibanez, with Leverkusen chiefs directly informed about the club’s approach for their high-flying manager.
Alonso is contracted with the club until 2026.
On English soil, Liverpool are thought to be eyeing Brighton boss De Zerbi, along with Premier League rivals Manchester United – should the club take the decision to move on current head coach Erik ten Hag.
The Seagulls are said to be putting contingency plans together in preparation for the Italian’s potential exit at the end of the season.
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