How Liverpool could line up under Ruben Amorim

Liverpool are working hard to secure a successor to legendary manager Jurgen Klopp, and it's looking increasingly likely Ruben Amorim will get the job.

The 39-year-old (yep, thirty-nine) has worked wonders at Sporting CP during his time in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, ending their 19-year wait for a title in 2021 and they look set to win the league again this season.

Amorim, much like former Liverpool target Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, has largely used a 3-4-3 system to great effect in his young managerial career thus far. If he's wedded to such a system, how could Liverpool look under him? Which players could he bring to Anfield?

Here's how we think Amorim's Liverpool would line up, plus our thoughts on potential new signings.

GK: Alisson

There should only be two reasons why Liverpool would entertain replacing Alisson as their goalkeeper - Amorim expresses a deep, personal hatred of him upon arrival, or the Brazil international goes on hunger strike to force a surprise exit.

It's realistic to suggest Alisson will still be the Reds' number one next season regardless of who the manager is.

CB: Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool's main problem of switching to a back-three formation is their lack of quality depth at centre-back.

When not riddled with injuries, Ibrahima Konate is one of the most imposing defenders around, but the club should be looking to add another option behind him - Sporting's Ousmane Diomande would be a perfect fit for the Premier League, just so you know, Liverpool.

CB: Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is one of three current star players whose contract expires in 2025. Playing in a back three could ease an ever-increasing physical load on his ageing body and give him a fresh lease of life towards the back-end of his peak years.

Former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates, now 33 years of age, carries out this role at the heart of defence with Amorim's Sporting.

CB: Goncalo Inacio

If Amorim is indeed appointed Liverpool manager, then the signing of Goncalo Inacio should be a no-brainer.

The Reds need a left-footed centre-back. They've already been linked with the experienced 22-year-old. He knows how to play in an Amorim team. His £52m release clause is hardly prohibitive. What more do you need?

RM: Trent Alexander-Arnold

90min understands the delay in Liverpool's contract renewal talks with Trent Alexander-Arnold is due to both parties' desire to wait for input from the new manager.

Should that be Amorim, there's every chance Alexander-Arnold would be afforded more freedom to get forward as a wing-back but also step into central areas as he has done over the last year or so. With Real Madrid monitoring his situation, Liverpool need to convince him this is the right project.

CM: Harvey Elliott

An understated part of Liverpool's magnificent season so far has been the impact of Harvey Elliott, who has filled in at various positions to help the team out.

Whether he could hold the fort in a two-man midfield is undetermined, but with the added cover of three centre-backs and Alexander-Arnold inverting on occasion, it could work in this system.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister

The signing of the season? Alexis Mac Allister has certainly made a compelling case of late.

The tactically flexible and mouldable Argentine seems a dream to work with. Amorim would have a lot of fun finding an ideal use for him.

LM: Rayan Ait-Nouri

Having recently turned 30 and spent a lot of this season on the treatment table, it would be wise for Liverpool to consider stepping up their efforts to find competition for Andrew Robertson this summer.

Enter Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has enjoyed a stellar season galloping down the left flank in the old gold.

RF: Mohamed Salah

From a man who looks a bit like Mohamed Salah to the man who actually is Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian's contract is up in 2025, but Liverpool should probably look to extend this deal by at least a year if only to ensure the new manager's transition is a little smoother. It's hard to replace such a consistent 20-goal-a-season outlet.

LF: Dominik Szoboszlai

After a fine start to life on Merseyside, Dominik Szoboszlai has gone off the boil a little since picking up a mid-season injury.

He's still young and adapting to a new country, so we'll give him the benefit of the doubt. The Hungary captain may also prove more useful in a different role.

At Sporting, Amorim usually deploys a playmaking forward as part of his frontline, with such a role usually reserved for Pedro Goncalves. Szoboszlai has experience playing out wide with RB Leipzig, and after an inconsistent year in midfield, it may be worth giving him a go in that position again.

CF: Darwin Nunez

You can expect links to Viktor Gyokeres to multiply quicktime if Amorim does join Liverpool, but they already have a striker in his mould on the books already in Darwin Nunez.

Could the Uruguayan piece every bit of his erratic game together under a new manager? It'd be fun to find out.

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