Alonso to Liverpool is off: Time for Operation De Zerbi

The Italian player has already garnered significant admiration among fans at Anfield, and he will have another opportunity to showcase his skills in the upcoming Premier League match on Sunday.

As Roberto De Zerbi approached the fourth official during the October match between Brighton and Liverpool with evident intensity and indignation, Jurgen Klopp likely recognized the familiar signs. Knowing what to expect, Klopp positioned himself strategically between De Zerbi and Graham Scott, effectively diffusing the situation.

Following the game, De Zerbi maintained his belief that his frustration was justified, feeling his team should have been awarded a penalty. However, he had no qualms about Klopp's intervention, expressing admiration for the Liverpool manager. "I have big respect for him," De Zerbi stated in his post-match press conference, adding, "I consider him one of the best coaches in the world."

It came as no surprise, then, that De Zerbi shared the disappointment felt across England (with the possible exception of Pep Guardiola) when Klopp unexpectedly announced his departure from Liverpool at the end of the season. "If he changes leagues," De Zerbi remarked, "it is not a good thing for the Premier League." However, while it might be seen as a setback for the league, De Zerbi could potentially find some silver lining in the situation.

Xabi Alonso out of the running?

Xabi Alonso emerged as the clear fan favorite to succeed Klopp as Liverpool manager, buoyed by his popularity from his playing days at Anfield and Klopp's own endorsement. Klopp praised Alonso shortly after announcing his departure, stating, "The next generation [of coaches] is already here and I would say Xabi is the standout in that department."

Klopp emphasized that his praise for Alonso wasn't influenced by reports linking him to Liverpool, stating, "Even if you would have asked me eight weeks ago about Xabi, I would have gone: 'Oh my God!'"

However, Alonso wasn't the sole candidate under consideration. Recent reports indicate that Ruben Amorim, due to his success at Sporting CP, has been in contention from the start. Additionally, Roberto De Zerbi, admired by Klopp and Liverpool's incoming sporting director, Richard Hughes, is also in the running.

Best-coached team in the league

Klopp held De Zerbi in extremely high regard, once dubbing Brighton as the "best-coached" team in the Premier League due to Roberto's impact on football, emphasizing the significance of his influence.

Prior to Liverpool's visit to the Amex Stadium in October, Klopp openly admitted the challenge his team faced in avoiding another humiliating defeat like the 3-0 loss they suffered against Brighton in the 2022-23 season. This defeat highlighted Liverpool's midfield deficiencies, prompting a complete overhaul during the preceding summer transfer window. Klopp even attempted to recruit two Brighton players, Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, as part of this rebuild, but only succeeded in securing the former.

However, missing out on Caicedo ultimately turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It became apparent that not every Brighton player could thrive away from the Amex, underscoring the importance of having a coach as adept as De Zerbi at extracting the best from his squad.

Brighton is the team that resembles me most

The former Napoli midfielder has consistently redirected praise to his players for Brighton's dynamic and effective style of play, attributing their success to their wholehearted adoption of his demanding approach. However, it's evident that De Zerbi has been instrumental in Brighton's sustained achievements.

Upon taking over from Graham Potter in September 2022, De Zerbi inherited a team with solid foundations but has since molded it to reflect his own footballing philosophy. He has created a squad that embodies his vision on the pitch.

Describing Brighton as the team that mirrors him the most, De Zerbi emphasized the strong connection he feels with the club, highlighting the harmony and character they share.
Adam Lallana, a veteran midfielder at Brighton, acknowledged the quality of the squad but expressed astonishment at how swiftly De Zerbi was able to impart his tactics. Lallana praised De Zerbi's ability to unify the players, maintain their focus, and instill his footballing principles throughout the team, which has contributed to Brighton's ability to consistently outperform expectations.

Brighton's exceptional management, from their recruitment department to overall operations, is evident throughout the club. Their recruitment strategies have been so effective that Chelsea has attempted to lure many of their players and staff to Stamford Bridge with substantial financial offers. Despite this, Brighton's business model ensures that their top talent remains available at reasonable prices, frustrating De Zerbi at times.

What's particularly impressive is how De Zerbi has managed this season despite the sale of key players and the challenge of navigating European competition for the first time in the club's history. Although Brighton's inaugural continental campaign ended abruptly with a defeat to Roma in the Europa League last 16, their achievement in reaching that stage highlights their adventurous approach to the game and resourceful management.

Klopp acknowledged Brighton's resilience and adaptability, noting their ability to maintain a high level of performance despite significant changes in personnel and tactics. He commended their consistency and admired their commitment to attractive football, expressing deep respect for their achievements.

Attractive' option for Liverpool

There are indeed questions regarding De Zerbi's suitability for the top managerial position at Anfield. However, his style of play should not be a concern. Employing a 4-2-3-1 formation that occasionally resembles a 4-2-4, with freedom for the attacking midfielder to push forward and wide wingers, De Zerbi's tactics are not drastically different from Klopp's

Liverpool. Both teams aim to press aggressively and capitalize on transitions.
Brighton's boldness in building from the back sets them apart, as De Zerbi seeks to draw opponents out and create space higher up the pitch. This poses a dilemma for opposing teams: either press high and risk being bypassed by Brighton's direct and vertical style, or sit deep and hope to withstand their intricate movements and overloads in the final third after prolonged spells of possession.

When executed effectively, Brighton's style of play is captivating, a sentiment even echoed by Graeme Souness. Initially critical of replacing Potter with De Zerbi due to unfamiliarity with English football, the Liverpool legend now recognizes Brighton's attractive brand of football, making De Zerbi an appealing option for the Reds.

One of the most influential managers in the last 20 years

De Zerbi has openly acknowledged the significant influence of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona and Bayern Munich on his coaching philosophy, even attending training sessions during Guardiola's tenure at the Allianz Arena. However, he has always emphasized that he also incorporates his own ideas into his approach. Interestingly, the apprentice is now being studied by the master.

Guardiola famously praised De Zerbi as one of the most influential managers in the last two decades, likening Brighton's style of play to that of a Michelin-star restaurant - unique and exceptional. Guardiola expressed surprise at the rapid impact De Zerbi has made in the Premier League, noting his team's ability to create numerous scoring opportunities and dominate possession. Guardiola admitted to learning from Brighton's approach, recognizing them as one of the teams he seeks inspiration from.

As expected, De Zerbi has been earmarked as the perfect successor to Guardiola whenever the Manchester City manager decides to move on. De Zerbi exhibits a similar meticulous approach to football, employing carefully planned tactics to dismantle opposition defenses. James Milner, who joined former Liverpool teammate Adam Lallana at Brighton, has been equally impressed by De Zerbi's attention to detail.

Milner expressed his decision to join Brighton as a means to continue improving and understanding the game better, attributing this progress to De Zerbi. He highlighted the team's adaptive playing style, which varies from game to game, requiring maximum effort and focus from every player to grasp the specific game plan. Milner emphasized De Zerbi's insistence on detail, which demands full concentration from the squad at all times.

Despite the relentless intensity and frequent squad rotations, De Zerbi has successfully maintained harmony within the team. According to Lallana, the Brighton dressing room rivals the strength of the Liverpool squad during their successful period, a sentiment backed by Milner.

Ticking all the boxes

Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has asserted on TalkSport that managing Brighton and managing Liverpool are fundamentally different tasks, a statement that holds merit. The expectations at Liverpool are considerably higher than those at Brighton, where qualifying for Europe is a goal rather than a necessity.

It's important to consider that when Liverpool's former sporting director Michael Edwards was seeking Brendan Rodgers' successor in October 2015, he prioritized three main criteria: a proven ability to develop players, overcome teams with larger budgets, and achieve success in European competitions.

Jurgen Klopp met all these requirements, whereas De Zerbi falls short, albeit with 'two out of three' credentials. Prior to this season, De Zerbi had limited European experience, with Shakhtar Donetsk's underwhelming performance in the 2021-22 Champions League group stage being his only foray into the tournament.

However, it's crucial to acknowledge the context surrounding Shakhtar's campaign, as they faced formidable opponents such as Inter Milan and Real Madrid after progressing past Monaco in the play-off round. Furthermore, part of De Zerbi's appeal lies in the potential he could unlock with a stronger squad and greater financial backing.

He has achieved remarkable success with both Sassuolo and Brighton, developing players like Mac Allister, Caicedo, Colwill, Mitoma, Adingra, Estupinan, Joao Pedro, Gross, and Ferguson. It's reasonable to speculate that his impact could be even greater at a top-tier club.
Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele has attested to De Zerbi's transformative influence, suggesting that the manager's teachings have fundamentally altered his perception of football. Considering this, one can imagine the possibilities De Zerbi could unlock with the talented young players under Klopp's guidance at Liverpool.

We feel football

Following in Klopp's footsteps undoubtedly presents a formidable challenge, perhaps the most daunting task in football since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure from Manchester United. However, it's a challenge that De Zerbi would eagerly embrace. He has never shied away from expressing his ambition to test himself and his philosophy at the highest echelons of the sport. For De Zerbi, ambition isn't arrogance; it's a driving force, a dream to pursue that ignites enthusiasm among supporters and motivates the entire club.

Given his past experiences and aspirations, it's difficult to imagine De Zerbi declining an offer from Liverpool if it were to materialize this summer. There's precedent for such a move, as Richard Hughes attempted to recruit De Zerbi for Bournemouth in 2022, only for negotiations to falter due to contractual complications with Shakhtar.

Former Liverpool player Adam Lallana, who currently plays under De Zerbi at Brighton, attests to the Italian coach's unwavering dedication, likening his drive to Klopp's demanding nature. Indeed, De Zerbi himself acknowledges the similarities between him and Klopp, particularly in their shared passion and intensity for the game. Klopp, too, likely recognizes this intensity, having witnessed it firsthand during their encounter at the Amex Stadium last October.

While there are distinctions between the two managers, there are also striking parallels, particularly in their approach to pressing, their passion for football, and their charismatic personalities. If Liverpool seeks a successor in the mold of Klopp, De Zerbi emerges as an enticing alternative to Xabi Alonso.