Brentford vs Liverpool Livestream here
Two Liverpool players could be in danger of being sold if Ruben Amorim is appointed as managerPhoto by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Two Liverpool players could be in danger of being sold if Ruben Amorim is appointed as manager
Sun 31 March 2024 10:00
Bence Bocsak
After Xabi Alonso, Ruben Amorim now appears to be the favourite to become Liverpool’s manager. If he is appointed, two players could be in danger at the club.
So there it is. Xabi Alonso will not be returning to Anfield this summer. The dream we all had has now abated into oblivion. So, the question that must be asked: what next?
The answer for Liverpool seems obvious. It lies with Ruben Amorim. A 39-year-old manager, who has an exceptional record in Portugal over the last few years.
Not only has Amorim delivered a league title for the first time in 19 years for Porto, he is also on course to repeat that achievement this season.
Playing with an exciting pressing style, that is also concentrated on keeping possession and having a very organised defensive unit, Amorim’s football promises to excite a lot of supporters.
It’s not as gun ho or heavy metal as Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpress, but it’s pretty much as close as you can get to the organised chaos the German has instilled at Liverpool.
However, there are a few key differences in the way Amorim sets-up his teams. And those differences could mean a few Liverpool players facing uncertain futures.
Ruben Amorim, head coach of Sporting CP, looks on prior to…
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Liverpool have an obvious Mohamed Salah replacement who is already on Michael Edwards’ list – opinion
Liverpool have an obvious Mohamed Salah replacement who is already on Michael Edwards’ list – opinion
Rousing The Kop
2 hours ago
Jurgen Klopp could do something for the first time in four years at Liverpool vs Brighton today
Jurgen Klopp could do something for the first time in four years at Liverpool vs Brighton today
Rousing The Kop
4 hours ago
Serie A manager publicly mentions Liverpool and Klopp, after claims he’s being considered for Reds job
Serie A manager publicly mentions Liverpool and Klopp, after claims he’s being considered for Reds job
Rousing The Kop
5 hours ago
Klopp makes two changes, defender starts for first time in three months: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Brighton
Klopp makes two changes, defender starts for first time in three months: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Brighton
Rousing The Kop
16 hours ago
‘Changes things’: Steve Nicol says Liverpool are now being linked with a manager who really ‘worries’ him
‘Changes things’: Steve Nicol says Liverpool are now being linked with a manager who really ‘worries’ him
Rousing The Kop
17 hours ago
What is Amorim’s formation? And how does he like to play?
Unlike Jurgen Klopp, Amorim favours a 3-4-3 system – which is a variance on Klopp’s 4-3-3 set-up. One of the key differences being the use of the full-backs.
In Amorim’s system, a full-back is expected to play in more advanced positions, and push forward to almost play like a winger. Meanwhile, the winger in Amorim’s formation will drop into more central areas to function as a number ten.
In addition to that, Amorim also likes to play with three centre-backs – one playing a bit further forward to progress the ball and dictate possession.
In front of Amorim’s defence are usually two relatively defensive minded holding midfielders. Meanwhile, up top he has played with a traditional numbers nine.
Who could be in danger of being sold from the Liverpool team?
If Amorim intends to use the same formation at Liverpool, there will be losers and winners from his decision.
Immediately, Liverpool’s centre-backs will be winners, since more of them will be on the field. For someone like Jarell Quansah, this could mean even more minutes next season, and that’s great.
In midfield, though, the situation would be the exact opposite. Amorim prefers to play two deeper lying midfielders. This would particularly suit Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister.
Potentially Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic could also be used in the role. Dominik Szoboszlai has also shown to be capable of playing there. However, he might be used further forward as a winger or number ten – similar to Harvey Elliott.
The only anomaly is Ryan Gravenberch. It’s difficult to see where he fits into the Amorim equation and how many minutes he would play. Given he would be realistically competing for one of those deep lying midfield roles, he would immediately become fourth or fifth in the pecking order. That could see him at the risk of being sold.
The second player who would face an uncertain future is Luis Diaz. The Colombian doesn’t quite have the defensive output to play as a wing-back in Amorim’s system, but neither does he suit the winger or number ten role on the left flank.
Diaz predominantly likes to hog the line and in Amorim’s system, it’s difficult to see where he would fit in. Given there is already interest in his services ahead of the summer, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him being sold if Amorim is appointed.
Related Topics
LUIS DIAZ
RUBEN AMORIM
RYAN GRAVENBERCH
Jurgen Klopp could do something for the first time in four years at Liverpool vs Brighton todayPhoto by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp could do something for the first time in four years at Liverpool vs Brighton today
Sun 31 March 2024 09:00
Bence Bocsak
Up against Brighton today, Jurgen Klopp will be aiming to do something he hasn’t done in over four years with Liverpool.
At long last the wait is over. Liverpool are finally back in action after a long and gruelling international break. However, it was an international break where Liverpool were able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, even though 20 first team players were involved on international duty, with the exception of Andy Robertson, no one picked up any injuries. Even Robertson’s injury is not as serious as first thought, and the Scotsman should only miss a couple of games.
That means coming up against Brighton today, Klopp has a relatively strong squad. You can make the case that it’s one of the strongest squads he had in a while. Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch are both back.
Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah will be involved after recuperating during the international break. And Dominik Szoboszlai, looks to have regained his best form since recovering from his injury, after having scored twice in two games for Hungary.
Liverpool Training Session
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
What Liverpool haven’t done against Brighton since 2019
This Brighton side have been ravaged by injury ahead of their trip to Anfield. The likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Solly March, James Milner and Joao Pedro are all injury doubts for the game. However, even so, this is a strong and tricky opponent.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are still very much fighting for a European place at the moment, and they have a very good recent record against Liverpool.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
In fact, in four previous games, De Zerbi is yet to lose to Jurgen Klopp. Last time out they drew 2-2 at Brighton back in October. Before that, last season De Zerbi thrashed Liverpool 3-0 and also knocked them out of the FA 2-1 during January 2023.
Recently, Trent Alexander-Arnold has named Brighton as the most difficult opponent he has faced. There might be another reason why.
At Anfield, Liverpool haven’t beaten Brighton since 2019. On the last three occasions, Brighton has either stolen a point or snatched victory. The results were as follows:
1st October 2022 – Liverpool vs Brighton 3-3
30th October 2021 – Liverpool vs Brighton 2-2
3rd February 2021 – Liverpool vs Brighton 0-1
What happened the last time Liverpool beat Brighton at Anfield?
The last time Liverpool managed to beat Brighton at Anfield was back in November 2019, well over four years ago now.
The game saw Liverpool take an early lead, with Virgil van Dijk scoring twice in the space of six minutes between the 18th and 24th minute.
Brighton made a late come back with Lewis Dunk scoring in the 79th minute. However, in the end, Liverpool held on and continued their really good run of form that season.
This victory obviously came during Liverpool’s march to the Premier League title back in the 2019/20 season. Perhaps, if Liverpool can get victory today, that will be another omen that the Reds are on course to repeat that famous campaign.
Leave a Reply