LIVERPOOL target Ruben Amorim has admitted he could leave Sporting Lisbon.
The Reds are on the hunt for a new manager after Jurgen Klopp announced his shock departure.
Liverpool were publicly snubbed by their old midfielder Xabi Alonso last week as he announced his decision to stay with German table-toppers Bayer Leverkusen.
That has seen up-and-coming boss Amorim, 39, leap to the top of Liverpool’s wishlist.
And the Portuguese chief made no attempt to distance himself from the job when asked on Friday.
Asked about his future, Amorim said: “I CANNOT guarantee that I will stay at Sporting next season.
“We have time to discuss my future, we will do that at the right time. Now focus on winning titles and then we will see what happens.”
The Portuguese will make a decision on his future when Sporting do not win, then he will leave.
He said: “Sporting are taking care of their future and I can’t make a decision because I have given my word so I can’t go back on it, which is if we don’t win titles, I will leave the club.”
Amorim has a contract with Sporting until 2026 and Liverpool would have to pay to get him.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER
He has a £12.8m release clause at Sporting this summer, which drops to £8.5m in 2025.
SunSport revealed last month that Amorim is already reflecting on his future with a switch to the Premier League on his mind.
Sporting are top of the Portuguese top flight – leading Benfica by a point with a game in hand – but Amorim is open to departing even if they clinch the title.
And Liverpool have the upper hand in talks with Amorim as his agent – Raul Costa – is also a representative of Reds winger and Colombian international Luis Diaz.
Sporting ended their 19-year wait for a league title under Amorim in 2021, and have lifted successive league cups in 2021 and 2022.
The Portuguese manager has also been linked with the Manchester United job should they part ways with Erik Ten Hag this summer.
While Liverpool have also been linked with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.