Adam Lallana has admitted he would not be shocked if Liverpool were to attempt hiring Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
Lallana, who left the Reds in 2020 to join the Seagulls, is currently in his fourth season on the south coast and has been a consistent performer for a club that has enjoyed a rapid rise – initially under Graham Potter, before being carried forward by De Zerbi.
The Italian’s first game in charge of Brighton came in a 3-3 draw at Anfield in October 2022 and he guided the club to an impressive sixth-placed finish, ending the campaign only five points behind Liverpool.
De Zerbi has emerged as one of the potential candidates to replace Klopp when the German departs and Lallana can fully understand why the 44-year-old may come under the consideration of Fenway Sports Group.
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” conceded the ex-Reds midfielder when asked if De Zerbi could take charge 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 of course enjoyed the vast majority of his Anfield career working under Klopp and was stunned after hearing of the German’s intention to leave, likening it to the shock of Steven Gerrard calling time on his glittering Liverpool career.
