Jurgen Klopp has hailed Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi amid rumours the Italian could replace him at Liverpool next season.
De Zerbi is among the managers who have been linked with the Liverpool job after Klopp announced he would be stepping down this summer. Former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso was the early favourite, given his links to the club and the impressive job he has done at Bayer Leverkusen.
However, Alonso has now ruled himself out of the running and Klopp has given De Zerbi a ringing endorsement as he praised the way Brighton play and the "incredible job" the 44-year-old has done so far.
Liverpool are set to host the Seagulls on Sunday and Klopp said in his pre-match press conference: "We go for three points, that is clear. But we know how difficult it is against Brighton.
"Roberto is doing an incredible job there. It's a different game against Brighton. We have improved over the 18 months since we played them, the first game I think we were the first opponent since Roberto arrived and had no idea what to expect.
"It was quite impressive how quick he got the team in his way. Since then it only got better. We need a really, really good atmosphere and understanding of the game as well. It's about having possession, we need to have more possession than in recent games against them.
"It's not a normal pressing game, it goes against our rhythm so we have to break their rhythm. It will be super interesting. I am really looking forward to it."
With Alonso now set to stay at Leverkusen, De Zerbi and Sporting's Ruben Amorim are the two favourites. And Klopp has admitted he "understands" why Alonso has decided to commit his future to Leverkusen.
"I can talk about being a young manager being at a club and being successful," Klopp said. "I did pretty much the same and never regretted it. Xabi is doing a great job there and it's possible they can keep the team together.
"It's not always like that. I understand he wants to do that. "Leverkusen are really impressive, it's not like he has built from other years. He has created a mentality that is on the pitch and is really special. You can't say for former players it might be too late or too early - I don't know."
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