Robbie Fowler suggests current Premier League manager as successor to Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has named a current Premier League manager as the potential heir to Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

Reds boss Klopp signed a new contract extension with the club until 2026 last April, but there had been rumours linking him with the Germany job after Hansi Flick's dismissal in September.

Former Bayern Munich boss Flick was sacked by Die Mannschaft after a string of horrendous results, with plenty of clamour for Klopp to take over the national team.

However, the Liverpool boss firmly distanced himself from the speculation, with Germany appointing Julian Nagelsmann instead.

While Klopp will almost certainly be at Anfield until 2026, such rumours did get supporters thinking about who could replace the 56-year-old should he decide to leave Liverpool in a little over two year's time.

While it's difficult to know what the football landscape will look like by 2026, former Reds striker Fowler has weighed in on the debate, suggesting the perfect successor to Klopp as Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Speaking to the Mirror, and originally talking about ideal replacements for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, Fowler stated: "So it will have to be a younger manager with a good track record [to succeed Ten Hag] who can step up to the next level. I think Unai Emery has that, and he’s doing a decent job at Villa after winning several European trophies.

"But the blindingly obvious one is Roberto De Zerbi. Many thought it would all collapse this season at Brighton after they lost their two biggest players, and virtually his entire midfield. But if anything, he’s consolidated the club.

"They are balancing the Europa League and Premier League well, and are in a good position to move forward in both. I know how highly rated he is in football, so a move for him at some point is likely… though would he take it?"

The former Liverpool No. 9 added: "Looking at him, he’s so rated by Jurgen Klopp, that I wouldn’t be surprised if the Liverpool manager saw him as a natural successor. And the endorsement of Klopp would be powerful."

There is no doubt that De Zerbi has done a magnificent job at Brighton, continuing the brilliant work of Graham Potter and taking the Seagulls on their first European journey after last season's sixth-placed Premier League finish.

While Brighton have slightly struggled to juggle both European football and Premier League commitments, the Italian still has his side playing aggressive, attack-minded football, all while having lost Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo in the summer.

In terms of style, De Zerbi would certainly be a good fit at Anfield. However, perhaps the ideal replacement is actually former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The Spaniard is currently working wonders at Bayer Leverkusen, with his side unbeaten this season and top of the Bundesliga. He even reportedly has a clause in his contract allowing him to move to three of the clubs he played for - Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

While it appears Alonso is likely to move to Real Madrid this summer to replace Carlo Ancelotti, there is no doubt that he has the pedigree to be a Liverpool manager in the future.