Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has spoken about being linked with the future Liverpool manager’s job, but there are no clues yet as to whether he intends to take it if offered. And he even praised one of the other candidates in Xabi Alonso.
Speaking to Cronache Di Spogliatoio, as quoted by Empire of the Kop, he said:
“He is doing an extraordinary job. His team plays so well. The style is well-defined. He was already good when coaching Real Sociedad’s second team three years ago and he is proving the same in a great club like Bayer Leverkusen.”
De Zerbi, who previously said that the Liverpool manager’s job wasn’t his focus, looks to be staying loyal to Brighton, and he won’t be discussing any speculation in the middle of the season.
It’s what you’d expect from a classy manager such as De Zerbi, given he has certainly shown the potential to manage at the top level with his results so far on the south coast.
A quiet transfer window for Liverpool could have passed given the form at the top of the Premier League table, but the lack of activity is even more understandable after the shock announcement that Jürgen Klopp was set to leave.
The ECHO spoke to Reach PLC’s business of football writer Dave Powell, who believes that there will be money to spend in the summer for whoever takes over at Anfield.
“Liverpool and the transfer market is often a thorny subject for some, especially when it comes to the perceived lack of spending by owners Fenway Sports Group.
“The lack of business done in January 2021 was the root cause of significant anger, with a defensive injury crisis at a time when the club was at risk of missing out on the top four still not enough to spur the club into action,” he said, regarding the season when Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams guided Liverpool to the top four.
“The squad is in a good place, and while there will always be more than can be added, a late deadline day deal was never on the cards.
“There is also the fact that Jürgen Klopp is leaving at the end of this season and the next additions will fall within the remit of the new manager, whoever that may be. There will be money to spend, though.”
That’s reassuring news for any potential manager, but Liverpool’s current focus will be on the key title race clash set to take place at the Emirates against Arsenal on Sunday, with a win putting the Reds in an exciting position after breezing past Chelsea in midweek. Three points that will be vital in keeping ahead of Manchester City.
