Liverpool officials had concerns over how Ruben Amorim’s preferred tactics would work at Anfield, reports have claimed.
After seeing top target Xabi Alonso confirm his desire to remain with Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool drew up a new shortlist of potential targets to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager and Amorim was widely believed to be a major candidate for the role.
However, Liverpool ultimately decided against Amorim and instead struck a deal with Feyenoord’s Arne Slot, who will move to Anfield this summer.
According to Sky Sports, Liverpool were impressed by Amorim but his preferred tactical setup – a three-man defence- did not win over those leading the manager search.
There were concerns that moving away from a four-at-the-back defence would be too difficult for Liverpool at this stage, while a tactical switch would also have a significant impact on the club’s long-term plans.
Liverpool set their academy sides up to mimic the tactics of the first team and therefore there are several youth teams whose development has focused on a four-man defence. A move away from this would cause significant problems further down the pyramid.
While there is obviously an awareness that Liverpool’s tactics are going to change this summer, those in charge of finding the next manager did not want to do anything that would impact the balance of the current squad.
Rather than move forward with Amorim and face significant tactical changes, the Reds have opted to move for Feyenoord’s Slot, whose setup has even drawn comparisons with Klopp in recent years.
Slot, who tends to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, is known for high tempo, attacking football with a focus on pressing, and there is hope that adjusting to this new system will not be too difficult for the first team or any of the academy sides beneath them.
Amorim could still end up in the Premier League. West Ham United held talks – Amorim later admitted he made a “mistake” by picking up the phone – while Chelsea are long-term admirers of the Sporting boss.