Liverpool are continuing to search for the best candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp this summer.
The Reds now have just five games left to play under the German, with the season concluding in just over three weeks time.
With so little of the season left to play, it might have been expected that FSG would have sorted out who will take over at Anfield by now.
But having been stung by Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen already, Liverpool’s owners are taking their time. It is a huge decision after all.
The danger though, is that plenty of other clubs need new managers too. Bayern Munich have already gone toe-to-toe with the Reds for Alonso, while Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus are all set for a change as well. And it now looks as though Liverpool could be trumped for another target.
Liverpool could be trumped on Ruben Amorim contract
Up until yesterday, Liverpool’s main managerial candidate had looked likely to be Ruben Amorim. The Sporting boss is one of Europe’s most exciting coaches.
With Barcelona also reportedly sniffing around Amorim though, there was always going to be competition.
What Liverpool might not have expected was for that competition to come from Premier League rivals West Ham United.
Nevertheless, that’s exactly what appears to have happened. Reports last night claimed that Amorim had flown in for talks with the Hammers on Monday.
And now, Portuguese outlet A Bola have claimed that West Ham have already put down a contract offer for the 39-year-old. With Liverpool still in the mix, the Hammers have reportedly launched a ‘strong attack’ to get Amorim. Their proposal is said to be ‘considerably higher’ than what the Reds are offering.
The ‘Liverpool route’ is still said to be open to the former Benfica midfielder. However, the Reds are claimed to have been informed that Amorim will now consider West Ham’s offer.
Why do West Ham want Ruben Amorim so much
Forgive us, but there’s absolutely no chance that Amorim would turn Liverpool down to join West Ham. It simply does not make sense.
As a result, we have to conclude that the Reds are not as keen on the Sporting manager as has been reported. If they wanted him, there’s little doubt that they could fight off competition from West Ham to get him.
In our opinion, looking at the other potential candidates out there, we don’t really understand why Liverpool wouldn’t do that. Amorim is clearly a very good coach, one who has been described as ‘clever’ by Gil Vincente boss Vitor Campelos [Sky Sports].
The Reds usually have something up their sleeve and are said to be preparing an ‘unexpected’ appointment. But we can’t shake the feeling that they should put up more of a fight here.
Let’s wait to see what twists lie in store, though.