Paul Merson, a former Arsenal midfielder believes Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is the ideal candidate to succeed Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season.
In January, the German head coach shocked the world when he announced he would be stepping down from his role at the club upon the culmination of the campaign.
Immediately after Klopp’s announcement, former midfielder Xabi Alonso was declared the favourite for the job thanks to his excellent record at Bayer Leverkusen.
However, Alonso recently distanced himself from the running to either become Liverpool or Bayern Munich’s new head coach as he committed his future to Bayer Leverkusen. This has thrown a spanner in the works for the Reds who are now weighing up an alternative appointment.
Two men have since distanced themselves as favourites for the job – Amorim and Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi. Writing in his SportsKeeda column, Merson declared that the 39-year-old Portuguese head coach has his backing for the highly coveted position.
“As for Roberto de Zerbi, I think teams have caught on with the way Brighton play,” he explained. “I’d have been surprised if he got the Liverpool job, they need someone who is winning football matches week in and week out at the top level.
“If Liverpool drop points, there will be headlines in the newspapers. Ruben Amorim on the other hand – I can see that.
“What he’s doing with Sporting is outstanding, he’s working under severe pressure and delivering. I don’t think that’s the case with De Zerbi.
“He’s still a good manager but I don’t think he’s ready for a massive club yet.” Since being appointed at Sporting, Amorim has enjoyed plenty of success.
He has won Liga Portugal once and is a two-time winner of the League Cup and won the Super Cup with Sporting too. Currently, he is on track to lead Sporting to the league title once again – holding a four-point lead over Benfica who have played a game more than his team.
Amorim’s side crashed out of the Europa League in the Round of 16 losing 3-2 on aggregate to Atalanta. Liverpool know about all the dangers the Serie A side poses after losing 3-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Thursday night to Gian Piero Gasperini’s team.
