Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim has joked the club already has a replacement lined up amid Liverpool rumours.

Amorim is emerging as favourite for the Reds post after Xabi Alonso committed to Bayer Leverkusen last week.

Yesterday, the Sporting coach smiled: "The only thing that bothers me is that they already have a replacement for me here... (laughter), that's what made me feel the most impression, today I told Viana (Hugo, sporting director) to stay calm because it's not exactly like that... it's only this (game against Benfica) that I've paid attention to in recent days."

On comparisons with Jose Mourinho in England, Amorim also said: "It has nothing to do with it, it makes no sense and I have no illusions about it.

"It's about living this day by day and there is no comparison between José Mourinho and the Sporting coach."