Ruben Amorim distances himself from Liverpool AGAIN - as their number one target to replace Jurgen Klopp shares his thoughts on the end of a 'cycle' at Sporting CP

Ruben Amorim has once again distanced himself from talk of taking the Liverpool job when Jurgen Klopp leaves.

The Sporting CP boss is Liverpool's priority target as he closes in on a second Portuguese league title in four seasons in Lisbon. 

He denied that he had interviewed or agreed anything  with Liverpool and reiterated his focus on Sporting in a spiky press conference on Thursday, saying it would be the 'last' time he talks about his future. 

However, he has once again addressed questions over what lies ahead.

Asked about leaving through the 'big door' when his cycle ends at Sporting, he replied: 'I don't feel like the cycle is over'.

It's an open-ended comment as it could be interpreted in literal terms - as it stands, he still is Sporting's boss - or a wider comment on his intentions beyond the summer.

He added that if he left now, it would be through the 'small door' as opposed to the 'big door'. 

The much-vaunted Amorim has become the new hope for LIverpool fans after Xabi Alonso confirmed that he would stay at Bayer Leverkusen. 

Alonso has Leverkusen on the precipice of their first Bundesliga title after going unbeaten all season.

He said: 'After one year, we're building a team, we're building a great spirit here. There were many reasons and so many players. 

'The season has been great so far, and for sure we want to keep having this thing together. I felt part of it.

He added: 'After one year, it didn't feel like the right timing [to leave], and that's why I'm committed.'

There is some speculation that Real Madrid are eyeing a move to appoint Alonso as a successor to Carlo Ancelotti, whose contract expires in 2026.

Relevo reports that Florentino Perez and Madrid had been following his decision to turn down the Reds closely and that the president wants Alonso to take over when the Italian moves on.

Amorim, 39, is one of the brightest young coaching talents in Europe and has Sporting seven points clear of Benfica with six games to go. Sporting have won their last six league games.

When denying talks with Liverpool on Thursday, he said: 'There was no interview, much less an agreement [with Liverpool]. The only thing we all want here is to be champions for Sporting, and nothing will change.

'I'll say it again: I'm Sporting's coach. There was no interview with any club, no agreement with any club. I am focused, as always, on defending my club.

'And since I really have nothing to say: there will be no interviews or agreements with the Sporting coach. The deal is done, whether for this club or another.'

Earlier in the week, reports from CNN, via O Jogo, claimed the Reds had made initial contact with the 39-year-old manager and his representatives to 'assess the possibility of him leading the team next season'.

O Jogo added that Amorim 'wants to take a step forward in his career' and that he would 'not think twice' about interest from 'one of the biggest clubs in the world'.

His contract expires in 2026 and has a release clause of around £17m (€20m).