19-02-2025
Sam Allardyce reveals what he has heard about Liverpool and Ruben Amorim
Sam Allardyce claims to have heard that Liverpool decided against moving for Ruben Amorim because he was so wedded to his favored 3-4-3 system.
Manchester United appointed Amorim as its new head coach last November but his arrival did not prompt any kind of uptick in form, with the Red Devils currently sitting in 15th place in the Premier League on 29 points from 25 games.
Liverpool, meanwhile, ultimately plumped for Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp's replacement and the campaign could barely have gone better: the Reds lead the league standings, are into the Carabao Cup final and will discover their opponents in the Champions League last 16 on Friday.
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It was reported by various outlets last year that Liverpool and Manchester City both considered Amorim as a possible future appointment but were both ultimately dissuaded due to the Portuguese's tactical stubbornness, and that is something that Allardyce mentioned as he discussed Amorim's struggles at United.
'I think it's difficult [for Amorim to abandon the 3-4-3 system now] because he's been brought in to play," Allardyce said on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast. "They've brought him in because of what they've seen in Sporting and the system that he's played and how effective it has been for sporting. So like he says, for him to then just come in and say, 'well, we'll go to a back four now,' he's going against his grain.
'I was told that's why Liverpool didn't want him. Because he was too stubborn. Liverpool didn't want to play that way. The Liverpool board or whoever was in charge of the developing team. Liverpool don't play this way. You know what I mean? So, that's why they went for Slot.'
Despite only arriving at United in November, the Old Trafford team's form has naturally prompted questions about Amorim's long-term future at the club, but he brushed off questions about his own plight following United's defeat by Tottenham over the weekend.
"I am not worried," Amorim said. "I understand our fans, what the people and media think about it. I want to finish the league strong, I'm not worried about me, I'm worried about the club, the team, the players. I hate to lose; that feeling is the worst. The rest I am not thinking about. I just want to help my players. I understand my situation, my job, I am confident on my work and I just want to win games. I am more concerned about the club and the team and the place in the table is my worry. I am not worried about me."
