POTTER PROVES HE HAS MAGIC TOUCH
THERE will come a time when England must look at life beyond Gareth Southgate. When that day does arrive, there is another unassuming, bearded boss who deserves to come into the conversation.
Graham Potter is certainly making a compelling case to be considered as Southgate’s successor right now — none more so than here at Anfield. And should he ever need a reference, he need only ask Saturday’s opposite number. ‘He definitely has all you need,’ admitted Jurgen Klopp when asked if the Brighton manager could coach at a higher level. ‘He obviously has a clear idea about football and he is doing a brilliant job. He has brought a clear identity to how he wants his teams to play. He is an innovator and is adventurous. ‘He is an absolutely nice fella and his team mirrors his ability. I don’t want to talk the coach of Brighton away to some other clubs, but I think he should not worry about his future.’
Potter need not worry about his future but perhaps Brighton should. The Tottenham job could be vacant again soon and Spurs showed interest in the 47-year-old in the summer before they eventually appointed Nuno Espirito Santo.
But further down the line, Potter’s polite, mild-mannered nature — as much as his coaching ability and tactical prowess — will surely chime well with the FA, who will want someone with similar values to Southgate when they come to replace him.
Potter’s Brighton were maybe too open early on, conceding goals to Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane inside the first 24 minutes. But where a more timid team would then go into damagelimitation mode, the Seagulls fought fire with fire and got what they deserved. Enock Mwepu’s superb first-time 25-yard strike brought them back in touch and then livewire Leandro Trossard equalised from former Liverpool favourite Adam Lallana’s through ball.
Even when they were on terms, there was never a question of Potter’s Brighton settling for a point in the final 25 minutes. In fact, they looked the more likely victors, with Trossard seeing what he thought was the winner ruled out for offside.
‘I was really happy we showed what we are about and we were ourselves,’ said Potter. ‘I think we can improve, absolutely. I’m happy with how the team is progressing and moving forward.’ While Potter was pleased, the same could not be said of Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson.
‘It feels like a defeat,’ said the Scotland skipper. ‘We have to be better than that. We have to be more consistent.’