Liverpool's reasons for rejecting Ruben Amorim proven right as Man Utd hit rock bottom
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Ruben Amorim has endured a disastrous start to the season with Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)Success in football can often hinge on a sliding doors moment, and it appears Liverpool's decision to appoint Arne Slot instead of Ruben Amorim was as crucial as any in their recent history.
The pair's contrasting fortunes ever since coming to the Premier League couldn't be more opposite.
After the shock announcement that Jurgen Klopp would leave Liverpool in January 2024, all eyes were on his successor.
It's no secret that the hierarchy at the Reds were interested in then-Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim to take the reins at Anfield.
Yet Liverpool opted for Feyenoord boss Slot, while United eventually moved for Amorim in November 2024 after sacking Erik ten Hag.
There were several reasons why Liverpool chose the Dutchman over his Portuguese counterpart, with Amorim's rigid playing style said to be a major concern for Anfield officials.
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ESPN claimed that Amorim was snubbed, not only for his tactical inflexibility, but also due to the nearly £10million buy-out clause that Liverpool would have had to agree on in order to bring Amorim to Merseyside.
Tensions over a perceived premature reporting of Liverpool's interest in Amorim also left the Anfield outfit irritated, according to The Athletic.
Yet Liverpool’s hierarchy ultimately decided against Amorim as they felt his favoured 3-4-3 system would not suit the squad that Klopp had left behind, with the German often deploying a flat back four in a 4-3-3.
Arne Slot and Ruben Amorim have had mixed fortunes since coming to England(Image: DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Amorim's system – which can adjust into a 4-2-4 in transitions, a 5-2-3 when defending, and a 3-2-5 when attacking – was, and is, key to the manager’s ideals.
That showed he was ultimately the first choice in the end, despite links to former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso too, who eventually left Bayer Leverkusen for Real Madrid this summer.
United went ahead regardless of Liverpool's concerns and brought Amorim in, despite knowing the coaches' penchant for a back three.
Fast forward to the 2025/2026 season, Slot is fast becoming an Anfield icon and Liverpool are the defending Premier League champions.
Arne Slot won the Premier League in his first season as Liverpool manager(Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, United are facing yet another crisis after the Red Devils were brutally dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the second round by League Two side Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.
Amorim's once growing stock, built on two Primeira Liga titles with Sporting in 2022 and 2024, appears to be at an all time low after he steered United to 15th in the Premier League last season and saw his side lose the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur in May.
Having won just 16 games for United out of 45, his win rate lies at a paltry 35.6%.
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