There is one former Ruben Amorim player who Michael Edwards should be looking to sign. He’s a ‘pure talent’ according to the Portuguese manager.
If Ruben Amorim is the man to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, he will want to make changes at the club.
While stylistically Amorim’s idea of playing is similar to Klopp’s there are some distinct differences. For example, Amorim has always preferred to play with a back three.
Whereas Klopp’s preference has been to use a back four. So, in this regard, a few players could have very different roles next season under Amorim.
To make his system effective, Amorim may also try to bring in players who are used to playing under him, and whom he trusts.
He won’t want to raid his former club, though. Instead, he and Michael Edwards could turn to a player who has already left Sporting CP and is now playing elsewhere.
Why Nuno Mendes could be the perfect play for Liverpool and Amorim
At the moment, one area where it feels like Liverpool need to upgrade is probably the left-back department.
Andy Robertson has definitely dropped off in form and has just three goal contributions this season. At 30-years-old, he could be entering the twilight of his career.
Meanwhile, Kostas Tsimikas is simply just a competent back-up option. He will be turning 28-years-old this summer, and Liverpool might consider selling him on.
What Liverpool actually need is a long-term option. Someone who can be a replacement for Robertson and play in the side for years to come.
For that, there is no better option than Nuno Mendes. He might have been suffering from a serious injury this season, but he is still a really exciting prospect.
He showed that in the Champions League against Barcelona last week, with the way he bombed up and down the left-flank.
Only 21-years-old, he is still young but already has years of experience playing at a high level at Sporting CP and Paris Saint Germain.
What has Ruben Amorim said about Nuno Mendes?
Mendes is a perfect fit for Liverpool if Amorim is the club’s new manager. It was under Amorim at Sporting that Mendes made his debut for the club.
Under Amorim, he established himself as one of the most exciting left-backs in European football and played 47 games before moving onto PSG.
Amorim clearly rates Mendes really highly. He previous described him as a ‘pure talent’ and tipped him for a bright future.
“He’s very adult the way he plays, and physically strong. Nuno Mendes is a pure talent. I think he’s going to be the regular starter at left-back for Portugal for many years,” Amorim said as per 90MIN.
Mendes was also highly rated by Edwards, and was on the club’s radar for a long time before he joined PSG.