Liverpool warned of 'difficult' Rúben Amorim problem amid Jürgen Klopp issue

Liverpool has been warned about the challenges its new manager will face in trying to match Jürgen Klopp's charismatic presence by former Red Steve McManaman.

Rúben Amorim, the current head coach of Sporting CP, is the current favorite to replace Klopp in the summer. Xabi Alonso had been the previous frontrunner, only to rule himself out last month.

Amorim, 39, has achieved remarkable success in Lisbon and looks set to secure a second Portuguese title with Sporting. However, while McManaman acknowledges Amorim's impressive track record, he worries that Klopp's unique personality and charm will be difficult for anyone to replicate.

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Speaking at the launch of Panini's Official England Sticker Collection, McManaman told the Mirror: "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."

He 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 Jürgen, his sense of humor, how he got the people of Liverpool, that's going to be the hard job.

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

The Reds are gearing up for a future without Klopp by welcoming Michael Edwards back into the fold. The ex-sporting director, who was pivotal in the club's triumphs under Klopp, has returned with an expanded role as Fenway Sports Group's chief executive of football.

McManaman believes that Edwards' return and FSG's strategy, including their goal to establish a multi-club ownership model, are key to maintaining the winning culture established by Klopp.

On FSG's strategy, he further commented: "That's important because as we all know, it's all about how the club move forward. Mikel Arteta will eventually leave Arsenal, Pep will eventually leave City. These clubs will know it way in advance and then it's all about the process of bringing that new manager in."

"I think the fact that Liverpool have brought Michael [Edwards] back is great. They're talking about buying other football teams as well and having a football model type. So it's very exciting times, even if it will be a difficult process."

Liverpool.com says: It will of course be difficult to replace Klopp, given the impact he's had at Liverpool. As the club enters a new era though, that shouldn't put any prospective manager off.

Amorim has shown what effect he can have, having ended Sporting's long wait for a title, and he's on course to add a second this season. He is probably the standout candidate now that Alonso has ruled himself out, and hopefully Liverpool can get its man.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here.