This weekend, Liverpool has a difficult bout to navigate, with the Reds scheduled to face Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon in a tricky test away from home. Jürgen Klopp will come up against an opposing coach who he is yet to beat, with Roberto De Zerbi making quite an impression since his arrival in England.
The Italian has faced the Reds boss on three occasions since his appointment at the AMEX Stadium last year, and he’s delivered two wins and one draw, which is impressive considering his squad isn’t quite as capable as the one at Anfield. De Zerbi looks like a star in the making to such an extent that he’s grabbed the attention of his peers in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola is one of the many who has praised his work, stating (via the Manchester Evening News): “I had the feeling when he arrived the impact he would have in the Premier League would be great, but I didn’t expect him to do it in this short space of time. There is no team playing the way they play, it’s unique.”
The Brighton boss has also impressed Klopp on Merseyside. Earlier this year, the Liverpool man stated (via FIFA): “Brighton played one of the best football games this weekend that I have ever seen in my life, I have to say. Mr De Zerbi, wow! That was incredible.”
Like Liverpool, Brighton is known for being a data-driven club. The Seagulls make consistently great decisions on and off the pitch, with De Zerbi’s appointment proving to be a genuine masterstroke. It remains to be seen what he will deliver to the AMEX Stadium this term but regardless, he should be on the radar of every top club right now.
Klopp has a contract at Anfield until 2026, and unless something truly dramatic was to happen in the three years between now and then, he will fulfill his commitment on Merseyside. The 56-year-old is adored by Reds supporters, so much so that he was even officially awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool last year.
Fans can rest assured with the understanding that Klopp is going nowhere in the near future, but it is also worth noting that he will not be in charge forever. It is imperative that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has a plan for his eventual departure to ensure the Reds can navigate his loss without suffering on the pitch.
Replacing Klopp will be an almost impossible task to complete, but it is reasonable to suggest that De Zerbi is emerging as a potential candidate having made waves in England since his arrival, improving upon the work of Graham Potter before him and making Brighton a real force to be reckoned with in attack.
Last term, he guided the Seagulls to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League, delivering European football for the first time in the club’s history. His introduction seemed to have a massive impact on Brighton’s offensive game in particular. In fact, no team in the whole division posted more shots than the south-coast outfit, and that includes Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
“Bad, really bad,” said Klopp after losing 3-0 when the two sides last met in the Premier League. “I can’t remember a worse game [in my career], not only Liverpool. I really can’t. This is a really low point. Brighton were the better team, it was well deserved. They played really well. It was a very organized team against a not very organized team.”
De Zerbi is authoritative when dealing with sections of the media, and based on his impact over the past 12 months, he could be Klopp’s ideal successor in 2026. The big question, however, relates to whether his current employers will be able to hold on to him for that long.
