Liverpool could force Man Utd into costly Ruben Amorim decision due to contract clause

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Liverpool could turn up the heat on Ruben Amorim and Manchester United with a victory over the Red Devils. Arne Slot's squad suffered three consecutive losses under the Dutchman for the first time before the October international break.

However, they're back at Anfield on Sunday as club football gets back into full swing, aiming to keep the pace with the leaders at the top of the Premier League table.

The reigning champions lost top spot to Arsenal in the last round of matches before the break, as a last-minute defeat at Chelsea prevented them from leapfrogging the Gunners back into first place.

After also suffering a last-gasp loss at Crystal Palace the previous weekend, it means United are the 'in-form' team heading into Sunday's match - even though the Red Devils are currently five points behind their fierce rivals.

United's season has been patchy so far, with only three wins out of seven Premier League games and a humiliating League Cup second round exit at the hands of League Two Grimsby Town.

Amorim, who was strongly linked with the Liverpool job before Arne Slot was appointed, had some pressure lifted after a 2-0 home win against Sunderland in his team's last match before the international break - especially after the Portuguese admitted he was running out of time to save his job if results didn't pick up before the game.

However, whilst they have won their last three matches at Old Trafford, also beating Chelsea and Burnley , they are yet to taste victory away from home.

United endured hammerings on the road against Brentford and Man City last month, with a 1-1 stalemate at Fulham the sole point they have collected from their travels so far this season.

Amorim has come under mounting pressure as a consequence, though United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently made clear the Portuguese's position was secure.

"It's not going to happen," he told The Business podcast, produced by The Times and The Sunday Times, when asked what would occur if the Glazer family, the club's majority shareholders, instructed him to dismiss Amorim.

"He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. Yes, (he'll get three years). That's where I would be. Three years. Because football is not overnight.

"It's three years. You also look at [Mikel] Arteta at Arsenal. He had a miserable time over the first couple of years. We have to be patient. We have a long-term plan. It isn't a light switch.

"You can't run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions. You know, you flick a switch and it's all going to be roses tomorrow."

Despite Ratcliffe's support of the Portuguese, how United perform at Anfield on Sunday will go some way to determining just how much pressure Amorim will face heading into the next batch of Premier League fixtures.

With the Red Devils already knocked out of the League Cup and having failed to secure a spot in Europe, their focus is now solely on their Premier League campaign before they enter the FA Cup at the third round stage in January.

After a trip to Anfield, they welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to Old Trafford on Saturday 25 October, followed by consecutive away games to Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 1 November and Saturday 8 November respectively.

United only appointed Amorim on November 1 last year, with the Portuguese not officially taking up the reins until November 11, after triggering a £9.25m release clause in his Sporting CP contract.

If the Red Devils decide to part ways with the 40-year-old within the first year of his contract, it would reportedly cost them a staggering £12m in compensation, according to the Daily Mail.

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Amorim's staff would also be due a pay-off if let go, on top of the £12m he is contractually owed.

United have already forked out over £54m in compensation when moving on their previous five managers and backroom teams following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 - David Moyes (£5.2m), Louis van Gaal (£8.4m), Jose Mourinho (£19.6m), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (£10.5m) and Erik ten Hag (£10.4m).

Liverpool played a significant role in Mourinho's costly sacking back in December 2018. Xherdan Shaqiri netted twice as a substitute at Anfield, leading Jurgen Klopp's team to a 3-1 victory, which ultimately led to the Portuguese manager being shown the door two days later.

Only time will reveal if history is set to repeat itself, although it would be somewhat unexpected for United to give their current head coach the boot before his first anniversary at the helm.

However, Liverpool could still put their arch-rivals in a tricky spot if they manage to get back on the winning track at Anfield this Sunday, thereby piling more pressure on Amorim.

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