With Jurgen Klopp ending his nine-year stint at Anfield in the next few months, the Reds’ first-choice replacement Xabi Alonso has announced he will be staying at Bayer Leverkusen.

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Portuguese coach Amorim, 39, is on Liverpool’s shortlist – and has a £12.8m release clause at Sporting this summer, which drops to £8.5m in 2025.

But SunSport understands that Amorim is already reflecting on his future at Sporting with a switch to the Premier League on his mind.

Sporting are currently top of the Portuguese top flight – leading Benfica by a point with a game in hand – but Amorim is open to departing even if they clinch the title.

Liverpool have the upper hand in talks with Amorim as his agent – Raul Costa – is also a representative of Reds winger and Colombian international Luis Diaz.

SunSport understands that the Merseysiders have been in contact with Costa on several occasions this campaign in an attempt to sound out Amorim.

Amorim joined Sporting in 2020, and signed a new four-year deal back in 2022, but the club acknowledge he is a manager in demand across Europe for his work in Portugal.

Sporting ended their 19-year wait for a league title under Amorim in 2021, and have lifted successive league cups in 2021 and 2022.

They have also impressed on the European stage, beating Mikel Arteta’s Prem title-chasing Arsenal in the Europa League last-16 last season before losing in the quarters.

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Liverpool have appointed a new sporting director, Richard Hughes, who will take over in June, while Fenway Sports Group have reunited with former sporting director Michael Edwards.

The pair will be ultimately responsible for selecting a new manager.

Liverpool’s search includes Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, who also has a release clause of £12m.

The Seagulls go to Anfield on Sunday looking to derail Liverpool’s title charge, and Klopp has called Italian De Zerbi a “top coach” in the build-up.