There are three Liverpool players who could really benefit from Ruben Amorim being appointed as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.
So it seems like the Xabi Alonso dream is over for Liverpool. At least for now, the Spaniard will not be making an emotional return to Anfield. Instead, he will continue what he has started at Bayer Leverkusen.
It’s probably a wise career choice for Alonso. However, you cannot deny it’s a blow to Liverpool’s aspirations. Alonso seemed like the perfect fit to replace Klopp.
Now the next best thing seems to be Ruben Amorim. A person with perhaps more experience than Alonso at the top level of the game as manager. His risk-all style is probably more closely aligned with Klopp’s gegenpress as well.
But it’s not just in that area where Amorim resembles the German coach. He’s got a track record of competing beyond his means, including helping Sporting CP to a league title for the first time in 19 years.
Amorim also likes to work with youngsters, just like Klopp. At Sporting he gave debuts to 25 players who were 21-years-old or younger. He also helped three players break Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-standing record and become the youngest players in Sporting CP’s history.
Ruben Amorim’s system
At Sporting CP, and throughout his managerial career, Amorim has always been known to play with a back three. He deploys a 3-4-3 formation which is obviously a little bit different to Klopp’s accustomed 4-3-3.
While the principles of Amorim are similar to Klopp’s gegenpress, there are key differences in his set-up. One of that is the formation, of course, with Amorim very much favouring a more solid defensive structure.
Although he still plays with a high line, and like Klopp’s side, Sporting CP can be vulnerable against opposition counter attacks. However, in general, Amorim has been successful defensively and his Sporting side has recorded the lowest expected goals against them, three times in the last four seasons in Portugal’s top flight.
The three Liverpool players who could benefit from Amorim’s system
Given Amorim is someone who very much likes to embrace youth, Liverpool’s younger players should continue to remain in favour if he is appointed.
One of the major winners from Amorim’s appointment could therefore turn out to be Jarell Quansah. The young centre-back has been brilliant since he emerged this season, and he very much fits the profile that Amorim likes to have in his back three.
Quansah is comfortable playing out from the back, strong in the air and capable of playing in a high line. The fact that Amorim plays with three at the back, could also ensure even more minutes for the youngster next season.
Who else could benefit?
Another Liverpool player who could really benefit is Conor Bradley. Amorim likes to play with wing-backs rather than outright full-back, and the Northern Irish senior international is well-suited to that role.
Bradley plays in a more advanced position of a similar kind for his national team, and has also played in a similar system at Bolton Wanderers last season. Again, he could be someone who could really thrive in Amorim’s set-up.
Lastly, but not least, another young Liverpool player who could benefit from Amorim’s appointment is Jayden Danns. Like Klopp, Amorim prefers to play with just one number nine.
However, that number nine has been a very specific profile. It’s someone who is physically strong, technically excellent and capable of playing with his back to goal.
This perfectly describes Jayden Danns,who is a very similar type of forward in his finishing ability to someone like Viktor Gyokeres in Amorim’s current Sporting CP team. Under the Portuguese manager, Danns should continue to get opportunities at Anfield.