Former Liverpool player Adam Lallana has admitted that he wouldn’t be shocked if Roberto De Zerbi, his current Brighton manager, was considered to be Jürgen Klopp’s replacement.

Lallana is in his fourth season with the south coast team after joining the Seagulls from the Reds in 2020. Under both Graham Potter and De Zerbi, he has been a reliable performer for a side that has experienced rapid success.

In October 2022, De Zerbi’s debut game as Brighton’s manager ended in an exciting 3-3 tie against Anfield. With the team finishing the season just five points behind Liverpool, he guided them to a remarkable sixth-place finish.

With Klopp set to leave, De Zerbi is being talked about as a possible replacement. Lallana can see why FSG might consider the 44-year-old Italian.

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” the former Liverpool midfielder told TalkSport when asked about De Zerbi possibly taking over at Liverpool. “I think all the clubs are looking at Roberto.

“In my eyes, he is one of the best coaches in the world. We will see. It’s like a domino effect with these managers at the moment, managers are always under pressure wherever you go. I don’t know if that puts you off going into that after, but that’s just the world we live in.”

Lallana, who spent most of his time at Anfield under Klopp’s management, was shocked to hear about the German’s plans to leave. He compared it to the surprise he felt when Steven Gerrard announced he was leaving Liverpool.

“Although it probably makes sense, it gave me that feeling that something didn’t feel right,” Lallana said, describing his initial reaction to the news about Klopp. “I had the same feeling the day it was announced Stevie was leaving Liverpool. I remember being at the club. That mammoth figure of the football is leaving and it’s strange.

“I’m really glad he can have four or five months to prepare for the exit. He will get all the accolades he deserves. It might just give them that extra boost they might need to get another couple of titles — we just hope it’s not the Europa League.

“I think the squad for whoever takes the job is amazing. The transition from the era when I was there, when you’ve got Salah, Mane, Firmino, Henderson, Gini — it’s a different Liverpool now. It’s exciting for whoever takes the job next, they can put their own stamp on it.”

Liverpool.com says: That’s a pretty good endorsement from Lallana. The midfielder is still very highly thought of at Anfield, and no doubt his opinion on De Zerbi might help convince some fans who maybe aren’t too sure.

The Brighton boss should certainly be in the running, given the job he has done there. That shouldn’t change the fact though that Xabi Alonso is the outstanding candidate right now, and if Liverpool can get the Spaniard, then it’s a bit of a no-brainer.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.