Liverpool sent Ruben Amorim warning as main 'issue' about replacing Jurgen Klopp identified

Steve McManaman believes Ruben Amorim would find it difficult to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.

The Sporting CP manager has been installed as the favourite to succeed the German, following his announcement that he will step down in January. Liverpool face a period of transition, with Richard Hughes set to join the club as sporting director in the summer.

Despite beating Atalanta in midweek, the Reds quest to add to their Carabao Cup success sustained a blow as they failed to overturn the 3-0 first-leg deficit. They will be looking to keep up with the Premier League pacesetters when they face Fulham on Sunday.

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Sporting are chasing success of their own as they sit at the top of Liga Portugal and in the final of the domestic cup, where they face Porto.

Last summer, Liverpool made a series of additions following widespread departures, with stalwarts Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho among those to exit. Whoever inherits the squad will have a wealth of talent, but McManaman believes that despite Amorim's credentials, following Klopp will be a problem.

He said: "He's got a very good reputation in Portugal. He delivered the title to Sporting and they're fighting for it again this year. Sporting is a huge club, but Liverpool are a different level.

"We all know it's going to be a difficult job for whoever comes in but the number-crunchers, the data specialists, they'll be doing their homework behind the scenes."

Before the former England international added: "Liverpool are in a really great place. I think practically everybody other than Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Virgil [van Dijk] are locked down.

"I don't necessarily think the hard part will be the team; that's going to be around for a while. It's everything else: [replacing] the charisma of Jurgen, his sense of humour, how he got the people of Liverpool, that's going to be the hard job.

"I know Ruben speaks very good English, which is a great help straight away. But everything else, the whole package to emulate Jurgen, is very difficult for anyone I think."