The shared Liverpool and Man United dilemma tied to Slot and Amorim’s futures

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But Arne Slot has suffered three successive defeats for the first time: in his managerial career, not merely in his reign on Merseyside.They have been counterparts and opposites, the men in charge of England’s two biggest clubs, appointed within a few months of each other, when there was a scenario whereby Amorim could have got what is instead Slot’s job, after comparable records in their homeland. He has often credited Jurgen Klopp; Amorim thanks his predecessor Erik ten Hag less, and has less to thank him for.Arne Slot is looking to snap the longest losing streak of his entire managerial career (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Amorim’s advocates – a diminishing band as the evidence amounts that, actually, he isn’t an outstanding manager – can wonder what he might have done at Anfield.

What can be said, though, is that, even discounting Xabi Alonso, who soon made it apparent he preferred to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, Amorim was not even Liverpool’s second choice: after Slot, they also admired Athletic Bilbao’s Ernesto Valverde.Liverpool were deterred in part by Amorim’s insistence upon a back three. They were evolutionary and revolutionary, but when last season ended, the innovative look was that United had half as many points as Liverpool.Ruben Amorim remains under intense pressure as United boss (Getty Images)Slot tweaked Klopp’s 4-3-3 into a 4-2-3-1, reimagined some players – using Luis Diaz as a striker at times, Cody Gakpo solely on the left and Ryan Gravenberch as a defensive midfielder – but, in another respect, made so few alterations to his squad that none of his signings had started a league match by the time that Liverpool became champions.

Matheus Cunha, Alexander Isak and Wirtz will all go to Anfield looking for a first league goal in their new club’s colours.Jeremie Frimpong has not been a natural fit at Liverpool (PA Wire)Liverpool have had more late winners and goals this season, but Amorim could argue United have shown more improvement in attack. Slot’s first flagship win as Liverpool manager was against United; but Ten Hag’s United, who he unlocked with conspicuous ease.