Portuguese Ex-Liverpool star draws comparison between Amorim and Klopp

Former Liverpool and Portugal star Abel Xavier has drawn comparisons between the approaches of Ruben Amorim and Jurgen Klopp and stated the Sporting CP head coach would be a 'major signing' for the Reds.

Following the news that Xabi Alonso is to remain as manager of Bayer Leverkusen, Amorim has shot to the top of the list of favourites to succeed Klopp at Liverpool.

Reports this week claim that the Reds' hierarchy have already held talks with the 39-year-old Sporting CP manager's representatives about a move this summer.

Amorim will supposedly be offered a three-year deal, with financial terms already close to agreement, if the stories coming out of Portugal are to be believed.

The manager is likely to cost around €10m in terms of a release clause from his deal in Lisbon.

'I would like to see Amorim at Liverpool'

Ex-Liverpool defender Xavier, a 20-cap former Portugal international, has talked up his countryman, claiming his 'collective' approach is similar in ethos to that of Klopp.

Asked whether Amorim has the personality to be able to replace Klopp, Xavier told the BBC: "Yes, I believe so. Liverpool’s philosophy was never signing the best players in the world. They can afford it, but if you saw under Klopp, they want to have the best collective team in the world. I think Ruben's approach is very similar.

"I played at Liverpool, and I know the exact mentality and identity. With a lot of respect to Sporting Lisbon, I would like to see Ruben Amorim at Liverpool, and I think he will be a major signing considering the importance of finding the correct person after Klopp."

Xavier, who played 21 times for Liverpool in the early noughties, also claimed that Amorim 'created empathy' at Sporting CP, while youth talent has flourished.

He continued: "He changed the dynamic and he created empathy - and, of course, a big club like Sporting Lisbon paid to have him. The first thing this president said was: 'We believe the money I’m paying for Ruben Amorim is going to prevail and he’s going to create value in the youth development players and also get results.' And he was correct.

“Ruben is the type of coach who must be integrated in the structure with decision-making people. He likes to be involved in the decisions. We are not talking about [financially], but the profile of the players."

On whether Amorim could be set to leave Portugal in the near future, Xavier concluded: "I believe honestly - and I think pretty much everyone believes - that the cycle of Ruben Amorim at Sporting Lisbon is going to end very soon."

Amorim has remained cryptic over his own future in recent press conferences, but not ruled out leaving Sporting CP at the end of the season.

The Lisbon club are aiming to end the campaign as both Portuguese champions and Taca de Portugal winners.