Liverpool face stiff competition from Barcelona to appoint top manager target Ruben Amorim this summer.

According to the Independent, Los Blancos had hoped to get a clear run at the Sporting head coach with Liverpool and Bayern Munich targeting Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso.

However, Alonso's decision to stay put for another season has seen interest in Amirom spike and now Barca are keen to wrap up a deal for Xavi's successor as soon as possible.

Xavi announced earlier in 2024 that he would leave Barcelona after two and a half seasons as manager.

Amirom's release clause at Sporting is around €13million (£11.1m) and could prove a stumbling block for cash-shy Barca, while Liverpool are also interested in Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi and Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi.

Julian Nagelsmann is also an option for both Liverpool and Bayern, having made it be known he is open to leaving the German national team following the summer Euro 2024.