Ruben Amorim: Reports in Portugal DENY new Liverpool claims

Reports in Portugal have denied major claims around Ruben Amorim and Liverpool. The Sporting CP boss is at the top of the Reds’ list.

Liverpool need a new manager as Jurgen Klopp is stepping down at the end of the season - we all know that. We also know it won’t be Xabi Alonso, who removed himself from contention in March.

It leaves Ruben Amorim, the current Sporting CP manager, as the favourite for the job. How close is he to becoming the next Liverpool manager, though?

Well, reports on Tuesday claimed it was essentially done. Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany claimed there was a verbal agreement for Amorim to take over at Anfield.

There was also a flurry of bets on the deal. Betfair actually suspended their betting on Amorim to Liverpool, such was the confidence of punters.

Liverpool, however, quickly said there was no truth in a deal whatsoever. Now reports in Portugal essentially agree that everyone is getting ahead of themselves.

Record say there are no negotiations happening and that Sporting haven’t dealt with anyone. There won’t be any negotiations without going through the Liga Portugal leaders, either.

So as things stand, Amorim isn’t set to be the next Liverpool manager. Not that things can’t change very quickly, of course.

Ruben Amorim and Liverpool

Amorim is the outstanding candidate, certainly. There’s an argument for Julian Nagelsmann but not only is there more competition to hire him, he’s also the current Germany manager and can’t take over until after Euro 2024.

Nagelsmann is on Liverpool’s list by all accounts, but it’s a tricker process to hire him.

And so we’d still imagine Amorim is the favourite and will likely be who Liverpool land on. Chelsea are supposedly also in the mix, while Manchester United are considering a move - but you’d back the Reds to see both off here.

This is all a long process, made all the more difficult by Sporting’s title charge. It’s unlikely Amorim agrees to any negotiations while fighting such a tight battle with Benfica.

So while he is the favourite, confirmation of any manager could be some way off.