Liverpool have decided to opt for a shock alternative to Ruben Amorim this summer.
Xabi Alonso was initially the favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, after the German announced he was set to leave the Merseyside club at the end of the season.
However, when the Spaniard committed his future to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen last week, it was widely reported that the Reds had turned their attention to Sporting boss Amorim.
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Reports in Portugal claimed Liverpool intend to strike a deal with Amorim before the end of the season, while the 39-year-old has admitted he can make “no guarantees” he will be at Sporting come the end of the season.
When asked if he was able to follow Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso by confirming he will stay, he said: "No, I can't make any guarantees".
While several publications have claimed Amorim is the frontrunner to take over at Anfield, Spanish paper Nacional have insisted that Barcelona boss Xavi is also being considered for the Liverpool job in the summer.
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Like Klopp, in January the midfield legend announced he was leaving his job as Barcelona head coach at the end of the season.
Ajax and Borussia Dortmund are said to be interested in Xavi’s services, while the option to replace Klopp at Liverpool is “gaining strength”.
Nacional added that Liverpool “have now decided to opt for Xavi” with everything “destined for him to say goodbye [to Barcelona] at the end of the season”.
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Meanwhile, earlier this week Amorim said on his future: "Sporting are dealing with their future and I can't decide now because I gave my word, I can't go back on that, so if I don't win trophies, I'm going to leave Sporting.
"That's been very clear since the start. I felt it was important to get that across to the players because we have to win. We want to win trophies and we'll decide on those things later.
"I'm not worried about that right now. The future has been planned for quite a long time. We're all together as a club and looking into all situations and what we want for next season, so that's the main reason why I can't guarantee anything.
"I said that to my players and as the leader I can't go back on my word, as hard as that may be. We have to win trophies, we're on track to do that and that's why it's so important to win our next game."
Topics: Liverpool, Xabi Alonso, Jurgen Klopp, Barcelona, Xavi, Premier League
Chris Byfield