Top marks in Anfield exam for De Zerbi

ROBERTO DE ZERBI’S audition for the Liverpool job got off to a great start when Jurgen Klopp enveloped him in a bear hug before kick-off.

It got even better after just 89 seconds when Danny Welbeck stunned the Kop by firing home to give Brighton the lead.

It wasn’t a shock lead given De Zerbi’s record against Liverpool and he has been Klopp’s Kryptonite.

He announced his arrival in England with a 3-3 draw at Anfield in October 2022 and has two wins and a draw from his three games against Liverpool at the Amex last year.

One of the many reasons Liverpool like him is that he knows how to upset the odds. He also, like Klopp, and his heroes Pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa, treasures possession and employs a high press.

His favoured 4-2-3-1 formation worked well against Liverpool and Brighton had strength in numbers at the back, yet had four on four in every attack.

Liverpool had to strain every sinew to get this priceless win and the roar from the Anfield home crowd spoke volumes about how hard fought this first victory over De Zerbi’s team was.

As well as being superbly organised, De Zerbi’s side are dangerous on the break and Ivory Coast star Simon Adingra was a real threat on the left.

Brighton’s goal came from

Adingra. With full-back Conor

Bradley caught upfield, he broke down the left and crossed for Welbeck to score after Virgil van Dijk could only clear as far as the former Manchester United striker.

Jakub Moder in the No.10 role and Tariq Lamptey on the right of their attack were also a threat, and Brighton were patient and assured in their passing.

De Zerbi did not panic when Liverpool went ahead through Mohamed Salah on 65 minutes and his side simply pushed forward as they searched for an equaliser.

It almost came when Caoimhin Kelleher made a brilliant save to touch away Lewis Dunk’s header at his left-hand post before former Red Adam Lallana shot narrowly wide.

The audition ended as it began with a hug from Klopp (top) – after De Zerbi had shown why he is being considered as his successor.