Sporting Boss Ruben Amorim Emerging A Top Contender To Replace Jurgen Klopp At Liverpool Following A Disputed Report Claim Of A Deal Already Agreed.

 Liverpool are on the brink of securing a three-year deal with Ruben Amorim to replace Jurgen Klopp, according to reports in Portugal.

The Sporting Lisbon manager Rúben Amorim looks to be the frontrunner for the soon-to-be-vacant Liverpool job, as Jurgen Klopp would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season after nearly nine years, winning the Champions League, Club World Cup, Premier League, Super Cup, FA Cup and two League (Carabao) Cups titles.

The 56-year-old German tactician could still add to that trophy haul, with Liverpool second in the Premier League on goal difference with seven games still to play, while they face Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Amorim has reportedly reached a verbal agreement in principle, and is said to have discussed a three-year contract to become Klopp’s successor.

According to the report, the deal that will see him be at Anfield until at least 2027 is still to be finalised between the two clubs.

Xabi Alonso initially appeared to be the club's number one candidate with his Bayer Leverkusen side flying high in the Bundesliga and on course for a first-ever league title.

The Spaniard dropped a bombshell on his former club last month after he confirmed that he intends on staying at the BayArena.

However, sources in Merseyside have refuted the story, stating that the club are undertaking a thorough process around a number of candidates. They stress that a preferred candidate has not been identified.

Amorim who is one of Europe's best young coaches, refused to guarantee he would still be at Sporting ahead of their 2-1 win over Benfica on Saturday.

"No, I can't guarantee [I'll stay]. I gave my word and I can't go back on it. If we don't win titles, I'll leave Sporting. It was clear from the start, it was the bet I passed on to the players. We have to win titles," he said.

"I'm not looking for anything," he insisted. "And by the way, I want to value what I have and not what is said. And it's been said so many times… I've already said it, I've had contacts with other clubs, Sporting even knows, but I always wanted to stay because I like being at Sporting."

Amorim has wowed clubs across the continent with his club looking likely to win a second Primeira Liga title in four years, with his side four points clear of Benfica, with a game in hand.

After short spells in charge of Casa Pia and Braga, the former Portugal international was appointed by Sporting and guided them to their first league title in 19 years in his first full season in charge in 2021. He has also won two League Cups with Sporting.

Just 39 years of age, Amorim's impressive work at Sporting has earned him acclaim across the world of football and has previously been linked with a host of top Premier League clubs. Aston Villa considered him as a potential replacement for Steven Gerrard back in 2022.

However, he was reluctant to leave Sporting Lisbon while they were still competing in the Champions League and Villa ultimately appointed Unai Emery instead, with the former Arsenal boss doing an excellent job.

Amorim was also linked with vacancies at Chelsea and Tottenham last summer, with both clubs looking for new managers after sacking Graham Potter and Antonio Conte respectively. However, he publicly ruled himself out of the running for both jobs.

He has an exit clause of £25m for this summer in his contract with Sporting which could be dropped down to £17m for clubs outside Portugal, and he also on Bayern Munich’s managerial shortlist ahead of Thomas Tuchel's summer departure.