Jamie Carragher believes Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is now favourite for the Liverpool job.
The Reds are gearing up for the departure of Jurgen Klopp ahead of his final five games in charge, starting with Wednesday’s Merseyside derby away at Everton.
There has so far been no update on who will replace Klopp at Anfield since the bombshell confirmation of his exit emerged back in January.
Former Reds star Xabi Alonso had been strongly linked with the post while leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title but has since confirmed he is staying in Germany.
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has been another name tipped for a move to the club but the 39-year-old has held talks with West Ham.
David Moyes is increasingly expected to leave the Hammers by the end of the season and Amorim has been sought as an eye-catching target.
Former Liverpool stalwart Carragher now believes the twists and turns of the managerial merry-go-round has left De Zerbi as favourite for the Anfield job.
Richard Hughes wanted De Zerbi at Bournemouth, so he must be the favourite if this is true. Ornstein doesn’t get much wrong tbf! https://t.co/xqA9GEaN5w
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) April 22, 2024
The Italian replaced Graham Potter in 2022 and led the Seagulls into Europe for the first time in their history.
De Zerbi has been linked with Manchester United and Bayern Munich too and was reportedly a leading choice of sporting director Richard Hughes during his time with Bournemouth.
Hughes will join Liverpool as sporting director at the end of the season and Carragher believes his previous interest in De Zerbi suggests the Brighton boss could indeed be the man to replace Klopp.
“Richard Hughes wanted De Zerbi at Bournemouth, so he must be the favourite if this is true,” wrote Carragher on X after news of Amorim’s talks with West Ham emerged.
Speaking about his future at the Amex Stadium last month, De Zerbi said: “I’m gonna speak to [club owner] Tony Bloom about next season’s plans and then I’ll decide.
Carragher has tipped De Zerbi to replace Klopp at Anfield (Action Images via Reuters)
“I have another two years of contract. To work next season in Brighton, I don’t need to extend another year or another two years the contract.
“I can stay, I can work in Brighton with an extension, without an extension. Nothing changes. For that I said yesterday that the moment we finish the discussion about the contract, but not because I decided yet to leave.
“No, no. My focus is on Brighton this season, the next season. But the next season, before to start the season, I would like to speak and I would like to listen to the plan of the team. It is a serious thing.”
