KLOPP: I LOVE WAY DE ZERBI TEAMS PLAY

Kop boss full of praise for boss who could replace him

JURGEN KLOPP has heaped praise on potential successor Roberto De Zerbi by admitting he loves to watch Brighton.

The Liverpool boss has yet to beat De Zerbi’s Seagulls in four attempts and is desperate for that run to end at Anfield tomorrow so his side can underline their title claims.

Klopp comes up against a manager who has been tipped to replace him in the Anfield dugout this summer and he admits he’s a fan of his football – even if he says he couldn’t coach like him.

“The way they play, it’s a really different way,” Klopp said. “I couldn’t coach that. It goes against my personality! But it’s a good watch, very demanding for the players. Hold your position, keep your position, pass at the right moment.

“He’s a top coach, doing really well, and super interesting to watch. That makes it tricky. It’s just a different way. Brighton are possession-based but even more structured from a positional point of view than maybe Manchester City.

“Brighton, on their day, can beat any team. But, good news, we can do that as well.”

Klopp reckons Liverpool need to bring some chaos at Anfield tomorrow to unsettle De Zerbi’s structure. He said: “It’s difficult to play against them. They are super-dominant and you cannot do that with no training.

“You cannot just put the line up on the wall and say ‘that’s how we play.’ There’s a lot of work behind that, a lot of convincing players because he has changed a lot. “They don’t just have one way. The philosophy is the same but the ways they can develop their game are different and so we have to make sure we are really spot on. We have to create chaos from time to time. Against a clear plan, chaos can be the answer sometimes.

“In other situations we have to be patient, and on the ball we have to be really good.”

Brighton boss De Zerbi (left) is believed to be on the Anfield shortlist to take over from Klopp this summer. Bookies certainly believe he is because they make him 2-1 second favourite behind Ruben Amorim following the news this week that long-time favourite Xabi Alonso appears to be staying at Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool have beaten Brighton only once in their last eight meetings. The reverse fixture earlier this season finished in a 2-2 draw and last season Brighton beat Liverpool twice - once in the FA Cup – and drew 3-3 at Anfield.

But the Seagulls go into tomorrow’s Anfield showdown a full 22 points behind the Mersey men.

And between now and the end of the season they still have to play Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Manchester United.

‘I couldn’t coach like that... it is against my personality!’