Liverpool are reportedly close to agreeing terms with Ruben Amorim after offering the Portuguese coach a three-year deal. The Sporting CP manager emerged as the favourite for the Anfield hot seat after Xabi Alonso decided to remain at Bayer Leverkusen for another season.

Amorim is one of Europe’s most highly-rated young coaches and has been in charge at Sporting for four years. The 39-year-old is reportedly set to win the race for the role.

According to Portuguese publication SIC Noticias, Liverpool have offered Amorim a three-year contract. The parties are reportedly close to agreeing the terms of the deal.

The Sporting manager is the strong favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp, who announced his intention to stand down as Liverpool head coach in January. Klopp has been in charge of the Merseysiders for eight-and-a-half years.

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso had initially seemed destined to take the job due to his huge success with Bundesliga champions-elect Bayer. However, the Spaniard has decided to remain at his current club for another year, snubbing interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Reports also suggested that Liverpool could turn to Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian has won admirers in the Premier League and across Europe for taking the Seagulls into the Europa League.

Klopp praised De Zerbi before and after Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Brighton in March, intensifying speculation that Liverpool could turn to the 44-year-old. However, Reds chiefs are reported to have preferred Amorim as their next manager.

Amorim has recently been coy on his future and this weekend refused to answer questions over the links with Liverpool. He said that he could not answer when quizzed on whether he may leave the Portuguese capital.

“It wasn’t talking about the future. I always want to answer but there are things I can’t answer,” he said. “Last year we came in fourth place and I thought I had to do something different, it couldn’t be the same.”

Amorim won the Primeira Liga – Portugal’s top-flight league – with Sporting in 2020-21. His side are on course to win the second league title of his reign, sitting four points ahead of Benfica with seven matches to play. They are also in the final of the Taca de Portugal.

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