Jurgen Klopp labelled 'most influential' by potential replacement at Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has been called the ‘most influential’ by his potential replacement at Liverpool. The German leaves at the end of the season.

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi had high praise for Jurgen Klopp this week ahead of Liverpool vs Brighton this weekend. The Italian admitted he was 'sad' that Klopp was leaving both the Reds and the Premier League this year.

"I have a lot of respect for him," De Zerbi told Sky Sports. "He's a big man, a big coach - an incredible coach.

"I'm sad he leaves the Premier League and Liverpool but for us, for younger coaches, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are the most influential."

De Zerbi isn't just an opponent on Sunday, of course, but he's a potential replacement for Klopp at Liverpool. The Brighton manager has been put among the favourites ever since Klopp announced he would step down.

And with Xabi Alonso ruling himself out of the running, De Zerbi has moved up the shortlist. In fact, most reports suggest it's something of a two-way race between him and Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim.

Hearing that De Zerbi has so much respect for Klopp is interesting, then. It's a sign of why Liverpool believe he could be the next Liverpool boss - anyone influenced by the German is going to be a somewhat decent fit at Anfield.

Klopp on De Zerbi

However, Klopp did point out on Friday that De Zerbi's style of coaching isn't all that similar to his. In fact, the Liverpool boss doesn't believe he could coach in the same way.

“The way they play [makes them so difficult to play against]," Klopp told a press conference on Friday. "It’s a really different way; I couldn’t coach that, it goes against my personality! But it’s a good watch.

“It’s very demanding for the players - clear positioning, pass in the right moment. He’s a top coach, he’s doing really well."

De Zerbi is more 'Guardiola' than 'Klopp', in truth. But at the same time, perhaps that's a good thing for Liverpool - someone who brings something new, rather than someone trying to emulate Klopp.