Liverpool should stop their plans to hire ‘world-class’ manager, he’s just shown that he isn’t ready

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As Liverpool’s search for a new manager continues into it’s third month, we’re no closer to finding out who will succeed Jurgen Klopp.

As he has been from the moment Klopp announced his shock departure in January, Xabi Alonso remains the favourite. However, with Bayern Munich also circling the former Liverpool midfielder, there has been no movement just yet.

With Alonso so in demand, the Reds have also had to formulate a Plan B. So far, that has seemed most likely to be Sporting boss Ruben Amorim.

However, a third name has also been heavily mentioned. As recently as last week, Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi was put forward as one of the main alternatives to Alonso. That was the latest of constant speculation that Liverpool could be lining up a move for the Italian.

Around the time of Klopp’s announcement, De Zerbi would have seemed like a fine choice for the Reds. Described as ‘world-class’ by his former player Levi Colwill [The Athletic], the 44-year-old has shown signs that he could be a top manager.

But in recent weeks, that notion has taken a real battering. A 4-0 loss against Luton at the end of January signalled that De Zerbi may not be quite ready to make the jump from Brighton to Liverpool. Another heavy defeat – 3-0 against Fulham on Saturday – should now have ended any talk of De Zerbi taking the reigns at Anfield.

De Zerbi not ready for Liverpool

Some may argue against this, but over the past six weeks or so it’s become apparent that taking on De Zerbi would be a huge gamble for Liverpool.

It’s undeniable that the former Sassuolo manager has done a terrific job at Brighton.

As Klopp has previously spoken about, he is one of the brightest up and coming coaches in the game. But while he deserves praise for last season, De Zerbi should also carry the can for the Seagull’s recent drop-off.

It’s true that they have done well in Europe and are into the last-16 of the Europa League. But it simply can’t be ignored that Brighton have been pretty awful in the league.

Sitting ninth in the Premier League table isn’t necessarily a terrible thing for the South Coast club. It’s more or less par for the course. However, it does not signal that De Zerbi is overperforming, or working his way towards a much bigger job.

Put simply, Liverpool cannot hire a manager who has lost 4-0 and 3-0 to Luton and Fulham respectively in the space of five weeks.

That might sound like snobbery to some, but it just does not add up. Not when the two other top candidates – Amorim and Alonso – are both on course to win a league title.

Right now, if it isn’t Alonso it has to be Amorim. If it isn’t Amorim, then Liverpool are going to have to get creative. This is not the job for De Zerbi. He may one day be ready to manage at the Reds’ level, but he isn’t there yet.