LIVERPOOL CONFIDENTIAL: Ruben Amorim scores highly as Reds rate Jurgen Klopp successors but Xabi Alonso remains the frontrunner… as bizarre row with Egypt over Mohamed Salah rumbles on

According to sources in Portugal, Liverpool have sent scouts to several of Sporting’s recent matches, including the cup victory over Lisbon rivals Benfica last Thursday, with boss Ruben Amorim high on the Reds’ shortlist to succeed Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool Confidential first reported on January 29 how Amorim had joined the likes of Xabi Alonso on the list of contenders to take over as manager this summer, and the 39-year-old has only strengthened his case since.

Alonso, whose unbeaten side beat Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday to move ten points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, remains the frontrunner for the vacant job but it is clear that Amorim is also very highly rated.

The tactician led former team Braga to the Taca de Liga in 2019 before moving to Sporting, where he guided the capital club to their 19th league title, but for the first time in two decades in 2020/21.

They are currently one point ahead of Benfica this season with a match remaining.

Liverpool underwent a data-driven recruitment campaign after Klopp informed owners Fenway Sports Group of his departure in November. The talented head of research Will Spearman was crucial in that process and it is clear that Amorim scored highly.

The Reds want an emerging manager, with both Alonso and Amorim ticking that box.

Roberto De Zerbi was highly touted as a candidate in football circles, but the rumors about the Brighton boss have disappeared. Julian Nagelsmann is a potential name, but it also has disadvantages.

It appears Amorim has emerged as the next best alternative to Alonso if Liverpool fail to entice the Spaniard to join. Bayern Munich have put Alonso at the top of their list to replace Thomas Tuchel, while the former midfielder could also remain with the Bundesliga leaders.

Liverpool scouts are also said to have been eyeing defender Ousmane Diomande as a potential future signing.

The twenty-year-old Ivorian came over from Midtjylland in January 2023 and has excelled for Sporting ever since. It is understood he is valued at around £70 million.

LIVERPOOL SCOUT MOROCCAN YOUNG STAR

Liverpool have been scrutinizing young Moroccan defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal at recent youth tournaments, with the 17-year-old impressing at the Under-17 World Cup and other competitions in recent months.

Ait Boudlal plays for the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Sale, Morocco and is described as a ‘complete and dominant defender’ who is tenacious in the tackle and composed on the ball.

It is not unusual for Liverpool to sign players because they have impressed in youth tournaments.

Academy star Keyrol Figueroa, son of former Wigan man Maynor, was spotted playing for FC Dallas at a similar youth event. He was hoping to play in the FA Youth Cup last week but suffered a minor injury.

The Reds have also kept a custody letter for Palmeira’s ‘wonderkid’ Luis Guilherme.

The 18-year-old plays regularly for the Brazilian team and has played for his country under-20s. Liverpool are said to be the most enthusiastic of several major European clubs.

SALAH CLUB-VERSUS-COUNTRY ROW rumbles on

The bizarre club-versus-country row between Liverpool and Egypt over the fitness of Mohamed Salah looks set to continue this week after the Premier League side wrote to his country asking them to exempt him from an upcoming international camp.

Salah has played just one Premier League match since New Year’s Day after suffering an injury for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations in January, but the Pharaohs insist it is their right to include him in their squad to take on New Zealand Abu Dhabi to play. March 22nd.

The Reds sent a formal letter to Egypt requesting their help in promoting Salah’s long-term interests by not involving him. Salah returned for one Liverpool match against Brentford but has not been seen since.

Jurgen Klopp said last week that the Egyptian could return for Sunday’s match against Manchester City. Even if he played in that match, Salah’s minutes would have to be carefully managed to avoid a recurrence of injury.

Liverpool believe that playing a one-off match against the Kiwis would not be the best for Salah’s long-term health, especially with a Premier League title on the horizon with his club, but also two World Cup qualifiers for Egypt in June.

Sources in Cairo suggested that Egypt are likely to go against Liverpool’s wishes and have their own doctor, Mohamed Abu El-Ela, assess the forward before making a final decision on whether Salah can play in the friendly.

MCMANAMAN TAKES HAND-ON ROLE

Former Liverpool academy graduate Steve McManaman has emerged as a key voice within the academy, with the Anfield legend and ex-Real Madrid star often acting as an advisory figure to youth coaches.

McManaman often attends youth matches, such as the FA Youth Cup match in Leeds last week, and is involved in training in Kirkby.

He regularly deals with the likes of Under 18s boss Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and youth analyst Scott Mason.

TNT’s sports expert participates in sessions with a hands-on approach – if he can still keep up with the players! – and offers advice and opinions to youth coaches on how to deal with the personal side to get the best out of the rising starlets.

KIRKBY CHILDREN

There has been a buzzword around the academy over the past two weeks: opportunity.

After several teenagers received a well-documented and well-deserved promotion to the first team, the knock-on effect down the age groups has led to excitement about future opportunities.

With Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo all part of Liverpool’s squad that won 3-1 against Southampton in the FA Cup, Under-18s boss Marc Bridge-Wilkinson created a selection problem of his own last week .

And so it wasn’t just that quartet of youngsters playing above their age group, with Under 16s Bailey Hall, Joe Bradshaw and DJ Esdaille jumping into the Under 18s side, who lost 3-1 to Leeds in the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup at Ellandweg.

“It’s a great time for the academy,” said Bridge-Wilkinson, speaking to Mail Sport in Leeds after that defeat, where the Reds showed a good move but were ultimately outclassed by the home side in the second half.

“It’s been a great week for the boys who have been given opportunities for the first team. But it doesn’t take anything away from where we are now. These guys (playing tonight) will learn a lot from where they are now and hopefully in a year or month they can get the same opportunity.

‘The reason we are here is to help young players get a chance for the first team. It’s never a disappointment when players leave our group to take things a step further; that’s what we get paid for. That’s what we’re here for.

“The opportunity these boys got through injury or suspension meant that the following boys got the chance to play for us (Under 18s). Chance is king. We will give as many chances as the first team.

‘We talk a lot about opportunities. We talk about the boys who are not there, they leave a void. Those who step down get the opportunity to step in and perform. That continues throughout the chain.’

The younger crop will be inspired by the rise of their peers and will be convinced that, with a lot of hard work and perseverance, they can be the next off the production line to play in big games from Anfield to Wembley.

“They need some skill too, let’s not forget that,” Bridge-Wilkinson says with a laugh. ‘It’s fun for the youth players, not just in our training. It gives hope to all young players, not just Liverpool.

‘It’s not about me, it’s about everyone. It’s a team effort – not just me, Barry (Lewtas, Under 21 boss) or Alex (Inglethorpe, academy director), there are so many different coaches and people behind the scenes. Everyone is important to give these boys a platform.’

Bridge-Wilkinson is in constant discussions with Lewtas and elite development coach Vitor Matos, often described as the ‘link man’ between the academy and the first team. Jurgen Klopp’s right-hand man Pep Lijnders is also often present at discussions.

‘I speak to Vitor and work a lot with Barry, Alex and Pep too. The dialogue is always there. Players are always moving between groups, it is sometimes not easy to manage because you are never sure who is where. But that gives opportunities. Who knows who will get next?’

WOMEN’S WATCH

Liverpool Women now have more points in the Women’s Super League this season than they collected in all of last season, with seven of their 22 league games still to play.

The Reds beat Aston Villa 4-1 at the Bescot Stadium on Sunday after a brace from Emma Koivisto and goals from Grace Fisk and Sophie Roman Haug. It extended a run of four unbeaten games for Matt Beard’s team.

Koivisto said: “I think we did better this season than last season. That was our goal: to get better every season. It’s been good so far. Our fans are just great. They are the best. They always travel everywhere. It doesn’t matter where we play, they’re always there.”