Liverpool tipped to not go 'anywhere near' Roberto De Zerbi as ex-Reds star explains why Anfield hierarchy will not hire Brighton boss as Jurgen Klopp's replacement this summer

With Klopp set to leave the Merseyside club at the end of the season after a nine-year-long stint, the biggest question has been set as to who will replace the German at the helm of the club. While Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso seemed to be the first choice, his declaration to remain with the German club has now pointed towards options such as Sporting's Ruben Amorim and the Brighton boss. However, former Reds star Mark Lawrenson has explained why the Anfield hierarchy will not sign De Zerbi.

Speaking to Paddy Power, the former Liverpool star said: "We've seen how much money they’ve made this year. I thought Roberto De Zerbi was a bit naughty last week, saying he wants more players. Brighton gave him his big gig, and he’s done very, very well. But once you go down that route of asking for more players, and maybe his agent is speaking to other clubs, I don’t think Liverpool will go anywhere near him.

"He’s a good manager, but I think he is getting carried away – Brighton haven’t had a particularly good season. He’s not dealt with the extra games and blamed it on not having enough players. De Zerbi won’t go to Liverpool, and he might’ve put one or two prospective club owners off him. Brighton are a well-run club – they got £22 million for Graham Potter and his backroom staff. They’ll just get another manager in – and being run the way that they are, they probably know who their next manager is."

Klopp and Liverpool are still alive in their desire to win the Premier League in the German coach's last season. They currently sit atop the league with a two-point buffer to Arsenal and are three points ahead of Manchester City. With just eight matches remaining, the Reds will put all efforts towards the league and the Europa League.

The Reds will likely make their decision on the next manager at the club, the onus will stand on De Zerbi to prove his worth with Brighton, if he wants to remain the man of interest for Liverpool.