Ruben Amorim leaves Liverpool sweating with shock admission over Sporting CP future

Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim has admitted he does not feel as though he has "finished his cycle" in charge of the club.

Having seen top target Xabi Alonso confirm his desire to stay with Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool have begun focusing their efforts on hiring other candidates, with Amorim seen as a top target at this point in the search.

The Sporting boss has already blasted reports of an existing agreement with Liverpool, and he has now cast doubt about his interest in leaving the club this summer.

"I haven't finished a cycle," he said on Friday evening. "Everyone has their own timing. Sometimes it's not to do with the club but with what the coaches think. I feel like I'm not finished yet a cycle."

Asked for a wider update on his future, Amorim continued: "I'll be here for the game against Famalicao, it's the most important thing. To move forward. Nothing has changed."

Amorim has repeatedly stressed that his sole focus is on leading Sporting to glory in this season's title race.

Friday's 4-0 win over Gil Vicente means Amorim's side currently sit top of Liga Portugal, seven points clear of closest rivals Benfica in second. With six games left to play, Sporting do have tough matches against Vitoria Guimaraes and Porto to play this month, and Amorim is keen to keep his sights set on the task at hand.

90min understands Liverpool hope to have an agreement for a new manager wrapped up before the end of the season, even if they do not publicly confirm their decision until this summer.

Should they choose to pursue Amorim, they could trigger a €20m release clause in his Sporting contract or seek to strike an agreement over a discount. Amorim does have a gentleman's agreement with his current employers that he can leave for €10m if a top European side makes an approach.

READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP