Top Journalist Confirms £400m Reason Liverpool Snubbed Amorim for Slot | OneFootball

Why Liverpool Walked Away From Ruben Amorim

When Jurgen Klopp announced his departure from Liverpool, the club faced a defining moment. The search for his successor had to balance ambition with practicality. One name repeatedly linked was Ruben Amorim, the highly rated Sporting CP coach. His tactical philosophy, his ability to extract the best from young players, and, crucially, his record in keeping squads fit, made him an enticing candidate.

According to Jonathan Northcroft The Times, Liverpool’s internal data showed Amorim ranking “top of their metrics among leading European coaches for keeping players fit.” In a squad where injuries have too often derailed title bids, that was no small consideration. Yet, despite the hype, the Reds took a different route.

Amorim’s Appeal and Reality of Rebuild

Amorim’s style is high-intensity, demanding players to be tactically disciplined and athletically robust. His success at Sporting was built on a squad tailored to his system. At Liverpool, implementing that model would have required a near-total overhaul. Reports suggest that adapting to Amorim’s approach would have cost in the region of £400 million—an astronomical figure, even for a club of Liverpool’s stature.

That’s not to say the club didn’t rate him. Amorim’s reputation for fitness and squad conditioning is elite. But the cost of transition made his appointment impractical. Liverpool’s priority was continuity rather than wholesale change.

Photo: IMAGO

Arne Slot Over Amorim – The Sensible Choice?

In the end, Liverpool opted for Arne Slot. A coach who shares some of Klopp’s pressing principles but without the need for a radical squad rebuild. Amorim, meanwhile, ended up at Manchester United, where the challenge of reshaping a broken team may suit his transformative approach.

Liverpool’s decision now looks vindicated, with United struggling to adapt to Amorim’s methods. It proves that even the most talented managers are not plug-and-play solutions.

Liverpool’s Interest in Squad Fitness Remains

What is telling from The Times report is Liverpool’s continued focus on injury prevention. Amorim’s data-led conditioning techniques were clearly attractive. Slot’s task will be to maintain those standards while evolving the team in a more sustainable manner.

Photo IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool fans were initially sceptical about Arne Slot’s appointment, particularly when compared to the exciting prospect of Amorim. Many expected the Dutchman to be a ‘safe’ option, while Amorim was seen as the daring choice. But fast forward a few months, and it’s clear that Liverpool’s decision was based on cold, hard logic.

Manchester United’s struggles under Amorim suggest that the Liverpool hierarchy got it right. Amorim is undoubtedly talented, but his ideas require patience, a squad built in his image, and significant financial backing. If Liverpool had gone down that route, the transition could have been painful, especially with fans expecting instant success.

This isn’t to say Amorim wouldn’t have succeeded. Given time and resources, he may well have built something special at Anfield. But Liverpool didn’t have the luxury of a slow rebuild. They needed evolution, not revolution. Slot represents that steady hand, and early signs suggest he can carry the torch forward.

Liverpool’s focus on fitness and squad management remains crucial, and if Slot can integrate similar levels of injury prevention as Amorim was famed for, the club will be in a strong position moving forward.