Ruben Amorim, the manager of Sporting CP, refutes claims of reaching an agreement with Liverpool.

Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim has dismissed reports suggesting that he has held talks with Liverpool regarding the vacant managerial position. Speculation had emerged that Amorim had a verbal agreement in principle to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. However, the Portuguese coach has vehemently denied these claims, labeling them as “wholly inaccurate.”

Klopp will be departing Liverpool this summer after an impressive nine-year tenure, and Amorim is currently the frontrunner to take over the reins. The German manager could potentially leave with both the Premier League and UEFA Europa League titles, having already secured the Carabao Cup.

Sporting are also enjoying a successful season, currently sitting four points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga, albeit having played a game more than second-placed Benfica. Additionally, they have a domestic cup final on the horizon.

Ahead of Sporting’s match against Gil Vicente, Amorim firmly denied any discussions with Liverpool, emphasizing his focus on his current role. He stated, “This is the last time I’ll talk about my future. There was no interview (with Liverpool), let alone an agreement reached. The only thing we all want here is to be champions for Sporting, and nothing will change.”

Amorim reiterated his commitment to Sporting, stating, “I’m the Sporting manager, there’s been no interview with any club, there’s been no agreement with any club. So I’m only focused, as always, on defending my club, and since I don’t have anything else to say, there will be no interviews, there will be no agreements with the manager of Sporting. So this matter has been resolved.”

Liverpool had initially targeted Xabi Alonso as their preferred choice to succeed Klopp, but the former midfielder recently committed to Bayer Leverkusen for at least another season. Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann have also been linked with the managerial role at Anfield.

Liverpool’s immediate focus will be on their Europa League quarter-final clash against Atalanta, with the first leg taking place on Thursday. The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.