Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi was heavily linked with the Liverpool job, but reports now claim that the Reds are looking at alternative candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool are NOT considering Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi in their search for a new manager, according to reports.

De Zerbi, 44, has become one of Europe’s most sought-after managers since his arrival in the Premier League 18 months ago.

The Italian was predictably tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp after the current Liverpool manager announced his decision to leave at the end of the season, but it’s now emerged that De Zerbi isn’t currently on their shortlist.

Roberto De Zerbi had been tipped to join Liverpool (Image: Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

According to Sky Sports, the Anfield hierarchy have turned their attention to other candidates. Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is believed to be among them, while Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi has admirers on Merseyside.

De Zerbi could still leave Brighton, though, as German giants Bayern Munich added him to their shortlist. Bayern are also looking for a new manager this summer, as Thomas Tuchel is set to depart following a below-par season.

Ahead of Brighton’s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool on Sunday, De Zerbi was asked whether he could see himself snubbing the interest and instead signing a new contract with the Seagulls. In response, the 44-year-old said: “At the moment, no. We didn’t find the agreement. The contract is a part of the future. It’s important for me, it’s important for everyone but it’s a small part, the big part is the plan.”

De Zerbi then explained that he’s planning to hold talks with Brighton owner Tony Bloom, adding: “I have a different way to decide my future. want to speak with my club, I have a contract but the problem is not the contract – the problem is to find the same plan, the same target, the same vision for the future.

Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool summer but it doesn’t appear that Roberto De Zerbi will replace him ( Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“For me, I have not decided yet what is my future, because I have the contract, but anyway I want to speak with Tony, my club, to understand their plan, to understand his plan, the Tony plan. Then we take the decision together, without problems.”

Klopp finally beat De Zerbi at the fifth attempt on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah scoring the winner to send Liverpool top of the Premier League table. After the victory, Klopp hailed the former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk by telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “I told De Zerbi to keep turning the football world upside down. I will watch it from some distance. I respect so much what he’s doing.”