Liverpool starting XI under Ruben Amorim

With his announcement that he will remain at Bayer Leverkusen for the upcoming campaign, Xabi Alonso has eliminated himself from consideration to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Following Klopp’s announcement that he will stand down at the end of the 2023–24 season—something FootballTransfers exclusively reported was a high probability last year—the Reds are currently looking for a new manager to take over this summer.

Given his stellar management record at Leverkusen and his previous Liverpool playing career, Alonso was considered the ideal contender to take over at Anfield; nevertheless, he has removed himself from consideration.

Before Leverkusen’s Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg, the Spaniard made the following revelation at a news conference: “I’m grateful to Bayer and the board, the players, the supporters… This seems like the best course of action for us to go forward. It’s true that I have also told the players.

“Out of respect, I had this week as my deadline. It’s all clear now. I will not remark on Bayern or Liverpool. I have close relationships with these large clubs, but I’m where I want to be.

“I want to grow at Bayer Leverkusen; now is not the time to decide my future.”

Thus, in their quest for the perfect manager to succeed club legend Klopp, Liverpool have reportedly focused on Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi, according to The Times.

Amorim prefers a back three/five system, thus if he is chosen, the Reds could have to change their formation. If Liverpool were to hire Amorim this summer, how would they lineup?

Ruben Amorim’s starting lineup for Liverpool

Given that Amorim is in command at Anfield, Alisson—possibly the best custodian in the world—will continue to start in goal.

If Amorim joins Liverpool, his playing style might change to a back four, but at Sporting, he has always preferred a back three, so if he takes Klopp’s place, that might not change.

As a result, Ousmane Diomande, the outstanding centre defender for Sporting right now, might join Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool have all expressed interest in signing the Ivorian. Goncalo Inacio, his teammate at Sporting, has also been mentioned as a potential Anfield transfer; however, Diomande is now the player with the greater skill and might follow Amorim from Portugal.

Although Trent Alexander-Arnold has recently switched to a midfield role, Amorim may use him as an offensive right wing-back once more. On the left flank, Andrew Robertson will play the same role.

Amorim would likely be best served by a double pivot of Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister, although Curtis Jones might force his way into the picture and €70 million acquisition Dominik Szoboszlai might have trouble playing for extended periods of time.

Like Marcus Edwards at Sporting, Mohamed Salah will be utilised in an inside right forward role, which is possibly his finest position. Darwin Nunez will play through the middle, while Luis Diaz will be on the opposing flank, much to how Amorim’s Viktor Gyokeres now leads the line.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister

CM: Wataru Endo

LWB: Andrew Robertson

RW: Mohamed Salah

ST: Darwin Nunez

LW: Luis Diaz

GK: Alisson

CB: Ibrahima Konate

CB: Virgil van Dijk

CB: Ousmane Diomande

RWB: Trent Alexander-Arnold