Coming off the back of a Champions League round of 16 win over Galatasaray in midweek, Liverpool slipped to defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Arne Slot's side were beaten 2-1 to make their fight for a top five spot even tougher.
Liverpool players huddle
It was a poor start to the game for the Reds, who were losing 1-0 after just 14 minutes. Danny Welbeck, a graduate of Manchester United’s academy, nodded home a cross after Giorgi Mamardashvili was left in no-man's land, caught in two minds about how to deal with the ball into the box.
The Merseysiders did get themselves back into the game just 15 minutes or so later, thanks to a smart goal from Milos Kerkez. However, a second-half strike from Welbeck was enough to seal the win for the Seagulls.
It is a defeat that will only increase the pressure on Slot.
Why the Brighton loss could be the final straw for Slot
It has been a poor season for Liverpool overall, with the defeat against Brighton this weekend further piling on the misery.
The Reds are still two points behind Aston Villa, but Unai Emery's side have a game in hand, so they can make that a five-point lead with a win.
Arne-Slot
It has been one of the meekest title defences in history, with their record under Slot this term signifying just how poor a time it has been.
The Reds have only won 25 times in 47 games across all competitions, losing 15 times.
The defeat to Brighton could well be the final straw. Since the start of March, Liverpool have lost away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Galatasaray and the Seagulls, and drawn at home to relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur.
Those are certainly some underwhelming results, and perhaps it is now too far gone for Slot to save his job at the end of the season, while a change could even be made earlier than that, amid this ongoing rut.
Liverpool could hire 'Klopp-like' Slot replacement
One of the names potentially in the frame for the Liverpool hotseat if Slot is sacked, despite not being directly linked, is former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Knowing the Italian is available as a free agent, Tony Cascarino told talkSPORT, “I'd know what I would want to do if I was Liverpool,” implying he’d appoint De Zerbi.
Olympique de Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi reacts
It would be an interesting return to English football for the 46-year-old following his stint in Ligue 1 with Marseille. He impressed during his time on the South Coast with Brighton, so for a manager of his class to be available for free might be too good an opportunity to miss.
Indeed, De Zerbi’s record across all competitions for the Seagulls highlighted his impressive quality as a manager. He took charge of 89 games and had a positive win rate, picking up 38 victories and scoring 161 goals.
De Zerbi at Brighton (all comps)
Stat
Games
Wins
Draws
Losses
Goals for
Goals against
PL points per game
Stats from Transfermarkt
Of course, he is not the only top manager available for free. Liverpool legend and highly-rated gaffer Xabi Alonso is also on the market after being sacked by Real Madrid earlier in the season.
Yet, there might be advantages to picking De Zerbi over Alonso when Liverpool do look for a new manager. The first one, and perhaps the most crucial, is the fact that he has Premier League experience.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso before the match
It certainly counts for something, and the Reds will need a manager who can adapt to the top flight quickly, especially after this season. De Zerbi ticks that box.
Perhaps, too, the former Marseille head coach plays more exciting football than Alonso. Described as "very [Jurgen] Klopp-like" by Cascarino, his sides are direct and punchy, whereas the Spaniard typically sets up his side in a more methodical, measured way, even favouring a back three.
Roberto De Zerbi
With all that in mind, De Zerbi could be the man Liverpool turn to when they look to replace Slot. Alonso has a lot going for him, but the ex-Brighton gaffer is Premier League-ready and plays exciting, high-scoring football, in the mould of Klopp's great sides of the past.
That could certainly get the Anfield faithful on his side.
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