Ruben Amorim has already lined up his first three signings for if he becomes Liverpool manager next season, according to a new report.
Sky Germany claimed on Tuesday that Amorim has now verbally agreed to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield once the German leaves the club at the end of the season.
Liverpool sources have since refuted these claims, although the Portuguese boss remains the heavy favourite to take over at Anfield.
Amorim's Sporting side delivered the treble in 2021, and famously knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League last season.
This term, they are currently top of Portugal's Primeira Liga, and are four points clear of second-placed Benfica with a game in hand.
The squad mainly contains younger players but also features experienced names, with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Pedro Goncalves, Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inacio starring alongside senior figures such as Sebastian Coates, goalkeeper Antonio Adan and forward Paulinho.
And according to Portuguese outlet Jornal Noticias, Amorim is keen to bring Inacio and Ousmane Diomande with him to Anfield in order to bolster Liverpool's defence.
The pair have formed a sensational centre-back partnerships with the Portuguese giants, and their current boss is reportedly keen to have them both involved at Anfield alongside Virgil van Dijk.
It is also said that Amorim wants to also bring Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand to Liverpool, with the Denmark international having been linked with moves to Tottenham and Arsenal.
The Spurs interest hit headlines in March when it re-emerged that the midfielder has an Arsenal tattoo, resulting from his support for the Gunners as a boyhood fan.
Speaking to BBC World Service, meanwhile, former Liverpool defender Abel Xavier explained what Reds fans can expect from Amorim should he take charge.
He said: "He is very humble, discreet and has a very clear mindset.
"He put in place his ideas [at previous club Braga], he changed the dynamic, he created empathy, and of course a big club like Sporting Lisbon paid to have him.
"The first thing that this [Sporting] president said was, 'We believe that the money I'm paying for Ruben Amorim is going to prevail and he's going to create value in the youth development players and also get results'. He was correct."
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