Chris Sutton has claimed there is a 44-year-old manager who seems very keen to take on the Liverpool job this summer.
It’s now been a few months since Jurgen Klopp made his shock announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. But we are still none the wiser about who his replacement will be.
There’s been plenty of talk about potential suitors. One thing is for certain, it won’t be Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard has made his decision clear recently. He will be staying put at Bayer Leverkusen for the considerable future.
Alonso’s decision does narrow down Liverpool’s options. Other than the former Liverpool midfielder, there aren’t many suitable candidates who seem like they are ready to take on the job at Anfield.
Although, there is one 44-year-old, who seems quite promising and who, according to Chris Sutton, seems keen to leave his current club at the moment.
What Chris Sutton has said about Roberto De Zerbi
One of the favourites to succeed Jurgen Klopp at the moment is Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi. The 44-year-old Italian has done a great job at Brighton so far, and he plays an attractive style.
However, it does seem like he is open to a move to new pastures, and wouldn’t object to taking on the position at Liverpool.
Speaking on BBC 5 Live Sports’ Monday Night Club, Chris Sutton explained how he thinks De Zerbi would be keen on joining Liverpool and potentially leaving Brighton.
“What I found really quite interesting is that if you are a Brighton fan at this time, you are looking at some of the things he is saying and he looks pretty desperate to get out, doesn’t he?” Sutton said.
“I think Brighton fans may be fed up with the things he said. But he’s ambitious and he’s probably thinking do you know what? I did well last season, it was a sixth placed finish, we have had a go this season in Europe, we sell our best players every year and I need to get out while the going is good.
I think we all understand that, but I’m not sure he’s gone about it in the right way.
“He may as well just hold a big sign up above his head saying come and get me Liverpool or who wants me, and that’s the way I have seen what he’s said this week.”
Would De Zerbi be a good replacement for Jurgen Klopp?
De Zerbi has a really good record at Brighton. In fact, he’s got the better of Jurgen Klopp more times than the German got the better of him. Until last weekend, De Zerbi was actually unbeaten against Liverpool in four previous games.
He plays exciting football that works, and has achieved historic results for Brighton, including qualifying them to the Europa League for the first time. Even in a difficult season, De Zerbi’s Brighton continue to challenge for Europe this time around as well.
However, there are also question marks. De Zerbi has been around the game for a long time, and he has never really stuck around at his previous clubs. Nor has he managed a side of Liverpool’s magnitude.
Is he ready for that step-up? We aren’t quite sure yet.
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