Liverpool to fight Barca for Amorim?

Barcelona are reportedly accelerating their pursuit of Sporting manager Ruben Amorim given the interest in the Portuguese from other European clubs including Premier League Liverpool. 

According to the Independent, Amorim has risen up the pecking order at Anfield as a potential replacement for the outgoing Jurgen Klopp, particularly after Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso ruled himself out of the running by confirming he would stay at the Bundesliga club next season. 

The Independent article states that, prior to last week, it was believed that Amorim was set to succeed Xavi at Barcelona and that Alonso would join either Liverpool or Bayern Munich.

However, the landscape has changed given Alonso's decision to stay put and Barcelona may now have to vie with Liverpool for Amorim - who guided Sporting to the final of the Portuguese Cup last night. 

Interesting, it is understood that Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi features on an 'expanded list' of candidates for the Liverpool job.