Roberto De Zerbi takes his Brighton & Hove Albion side to Anfield this weekend, hoping to make a statement as he is linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
They believe you’ll never forget your first visit to Anfield.
Even in a world of unprecedented Premier League wealth, the old saying holds true. Simply ask Roberto De Zerbi.
In October 2022, just days after being named Brighton & Hove Albion‘s successor to the esteemed Graham Potter.
The Italian was peeping from the Anfield touchline for his first taste of Premier League management.
Few inside Anfield, whether Liverpool or Brighton supporters, were fully aware of De Zerbi‘s credentials in a management career that had only brought him outside of his nation once in nine years prior to his employment at the Amex.
But by the time the full-time whistle sounded around Anfield to signal the end of his debut.
Those in attendance, and the rest of the Premier League, had certainly taken notice of De Zerbi‘s side’s performance.
Which ended the afternoon with a share of the spoils after an enthralling six-goal thriller.
And, after rushing into a first-half lead, Liverpool was on the verge of their first league defeat at Anfield in almost 500 days.
De Zerbi’s First impressions
In terms of first impressions, it was quite the curtain-raiser to the English top flight for De Zerbi, who was instantly regarded as a prodigy with the tactical acumen to one day take over the reins at one of the Premier League‘s ‘Big Six’ as his reputation grew.
Nearly seventeen months later, such links have become a reality for the Italian, who is now one of the bookmakers’ favourites, alongside Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim and Bayer Leverkusen‘s Xabi Alonso, to follow Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool at the end of the season.
It’s why this weekend’s visit to Anfield will have great significance for not only Brighton and their quest for European football, but also De Zerbi, who’ll find himself quietly auditioning the hot seat at Anfield that will soon become available.
If Brighton are successful in inflicting Liverpool’s first Anfield defeat since February 2023. De Zerbi will have a difficult time convincing Fenway Sports Group’s recently-appointed eyes and ears on Merseyside.
Michael Edwards, who was in attendance for the FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford earlier this month, that he is more than a gossip column filler when it comes to discussing those who could lead a new era at Anfield in a post-Klopp world.
Even though his managerial tenure has only lasted 60 Premier League games, De Zerbi has already demonstrated that he is worthy of mention in the discussions that will take place between Edwards.
Liverpool‘s new Sporting Director Richard Hughes, and owners John Henry and Tom Werner in Boston.
In the aftermath of Chelsea‘s successful swoops for Marc Cucurella and Potter.
Manchester City‘s Pep Guardiola was effusive in his praise for De Zerbi and the innovative ways he had Brighton punching well above their weight en route to their highest-ever Premier League finish.
“I think Roberto is one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years,” Guardiola remarked in May 2023. “No team plays the way they do; it’s unique.
I had a hunch he’d have an effect, which would be fantastic, but I didn’t anticipate them to do so in such a short period of time.
“Twenty or 25 opportunities, they monopolise the ball in a way that hasn’t been seen in a long time, a keeper like a holding midfielder, if you don’t play at a high level, he can do whatever he wants to you.
“They deserve success and are a team that I want to learn from.
“They are unique, much like a Michelin-starred restaurant.
“In Catalonia, the best cook transformed the cuisine, and Brighton is experimenting with something unique, which is an incredible challenge.”
If Brighton’s performance this weekend earns Klopp comparable acclaim, De Zerbi‘s chances of succeeding the German will be improved by his live audition.
However, one thing is certain: Anfield will be more aware of the inventive Italian this time around.
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