Roberto De Zerbi could bring ‘incredible’ former Liverpool player back to Anfield if he’s hired

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Liverpool continue to be linked with a potential move to hire Roberto De Zerbi as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

As things stand, De Zerbi is quite clearly behind current favourite Xabi Alonso in the running. But that reportedly hasn’t stopped Brighton from preparing for his departure. They think the Italian might be on the move in the near future.

Succession planning isn’t a new thing for the Seagulls, who are used to being stripped of their prized assets. And according to The Athletic, another could well be taken from them along with De Zerbi this summer.

They claim that having been at Brighton since 2020, this season looks like being Adam Lallana’s last as a player on the South Coast. This wouldn’t necessarily be the end of his time at the club, though. The plan right now is reportedly for Lallana to stay on as a coach with the Seagulls if he does hang up his boots.

However, it’s said that that plan could be put in jeopardy by De Zerbi’s potential exit. With Lallana’s playing time limited this campaign, the 35-year-old has reportedly already been active as a coach instead. Indeed, Lallana is claimed to have become more involved in taking first-team and U21s sessions, as well as joining the England U21s side as an occasional coach, too. De Zerbi is said to have been ‘encouraging’ the veteran in this respect.

As a result, The Athletic report that it ‘does not require a big leap in the imagination’ to believe that the manager would want to take Lallana with him should he be hired by Liverpool. Interesting.

Lallana lining up coaching role

It has always been clear that Lallana would make a good manager, or a coach at the very least.

Klopp was always incredibly complimentary of the former England international’s ability to lead those alongside him. Alexis Mac Allister is another to have praised his former teammate.

As his playing time dwindled during his later years at Anfield, there’s a reason the manager kept Lallana around. He was brilliant for the dressing room.

For De Zerbi, you could see the sense in him bringing his charge with him should he get the job at Liverpool.

Experienced a coach though he is, the 44-year-old has never been at a club anything like as big as the Reds. It would be a huge leap for him.

The Liverpool squad are seemingly a friendly bunch and would obviously get right behind the new man. But it couldn’t hurt to have someone who already knows plenty of them by his side.

Part of the team that won the Champions League and Premier League, Lallana is still familiar with a number of Liverpool players. Perhaps crucially, he played alongside captain Virgil van Dijk and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Lallana was also a teammate of other big voices like Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker. That could certainly help bridge the gap for De Zerbi.

Of course, the Brighton boss is still very much second favourite behind Alonso, though. But even if De Zerbi doesn’t end up at Anfield, maybe Lalllana will eventually find his way back on his own.