Liverpool FC news recap: De Zerbi update, FSG near appointment, Amorim battle

Here’s our Liverpool FC News recap for Tuesday, 2nd April. It was a day full of manager updates as the Reds continue their search.

Liverpool face Sheffield United on Thursday, having beaten Brighton on Sunday. Tuesday, then, fell between the two games - and perhaps that's why it wasn't really focused on either.

Instead, we had plenty of news around Liverpool's manager search. The Reds need to find Jurgen Klopp's successor after Xabi Alonso removed himself from contention.

Here's the latest on that, along with a new hire FSG are making, in our Liverpool FC news recap.

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Liverpool move on from De Zerbi

Liverpool have virtually ruled out hiring one of the favourites to be their next manager. They’ll be focusing on other targets.

Sky Sports report that Roberto De Zerbi is no longer the focus of Liverpool's managerial hunt. The Italian has been one of the absolute favourites for the job since Jurgen Klopp announced he'd step down.

In fact, Klopp himself labelled De Zerbi 'incredible' recently ahead of their meeting at the weekend.

"It is incredible what he has done," said Klopp, per the BBC.

"Brighton have lost Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, they have lots of injuries, but he puts a team like that together. An incredible job."

But it appears Liverpool don't see him as the right manager for them. Sky Sports claim De Zerbi was indeed on the original shortlist but isn't on the revised list.

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FSG near hire

Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group will soon hire Pedro Marques, the Benfica technical director, whose work at the City Football Group helped their multi-club ownership model take off. 

That’s according to David Ornstein, the Athletic reporter who last month first revealed FSG’s interest in acquiring the services of the 41-year-old Portuguese.

Marques joined Benfica from CFG back in 2018, first working as a youth technical director, responsible for player development up to B-team level, and overseeing a transition into the first team.

But his work further back, at CFG, might be most intriguing to Liverpool fans.

FSG are seeking to emulate CFG’s multi-club model with their newly-appointed CEO of Football confirming those intentions last month when installed last month.

Michael Edwards, formerly Liverpool’s sporting director, has returned to work under the FSG umbrella, and part of his role will include establishing a multi-club ownership model.

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Reds face Amorim competition

Liverpool face serious competition for their top managerial target. The Reds lost out on Xabi Alonso - now they may lose out on Ruben Amorim.

The Independent reports that Barcelona are now 'racing' to snap up Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim. This comes after the Portuguese manager became the favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

The Reds had previously put Xabi Alonso at the top of their shortlist, with Amorim seen by outsiders as their probable backup. With the Spaniard remaining with Bayer Leverkusen, the latter is now viewed as Liveprool's no.1 choice.

That's worried Barcelona, who are also on a managerial hunt this summer. Xavi Hernandez will step down, opening the vacancy in Catalonia.

They want Amorim above all, but suddenly face fierce competition for him. Thus Barcelona are racing to seal the deal and grab their new manager before Liverpool can get him.

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Curtis Jones to return

Liverpool are set to receive a timely injury boost for Thursday’s Premier League encounter against Sheffield United at Anfield. 

Midfielder Curtis Jones is set to return to the matchday squad as he completes his recovery from an ankle sprain suffered against Brentford on February 17.

The 23-year-old had been enjoying a productive season in red, scoring five goals and giving three assists across 28 matches in all competitions before being struck down with injury.

He had worked his way into Jurgen Klopp’s preferred midfield since the start of the year, having seen his progress checked back in autumn due to suspension.

Jones was sent off harshly against Tottenham, missing three matches, but eventually forced his way into the line-up to widespread acclaim.

England manager Gareth Southgate revealed ahead of the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium earlier this month that Jones had been in line for a senior call-up.

Those matches came just too soon for Jones with it reckoned that he was ready to return to action following the international break.

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