Liverpool lining up Roberto De Zerbi if Xabi Alonso snubs return as incoming chief has hidden link to Brighton boss

ROBERTO DE ZERBI is emerging as the top alternative to Xabi Alonso as Liverpool’s next manager.

New Kop Sporting Director Richard Hughes knows the Brighton boss well after playing youth football against him in Italy.

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He also tried to take him to his current club Bournemouth.

And with Bayern Munich also keen on Bayer Leverkusen head coach Alonso, the Reds are looking hard at De Zerbi, 44, as Jurgen Klopp’s potential successor.

Liverpool were already great admirers of the Italian’s work even before he joined Brighton in 2022.

But confirmation that Hughes will join the Reds on June 1 gives RDZ another significant admirer inside Anfield.

Hughes spent his early years living in Milan where his father worked for publishing company Pearson.

He played for Atalanta and came up against De Zerbi, who was on AC Milan’s books.

Former midfielder Hughes, 44, joined Eddie Howe’s recruitment team after retiring from playing in 2014 at the end of his second spell with Bournemouth.

Hughes approached De Zerbi in his role as Bournemouth’s Technical Director after Scott Parker was sacked in August 2022.

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But Brighton lost Graham Potter to Chelsea a few days later and were able to move for the Italian more quickly.

If Liverpool’s interest becomes concrete, De Zerbi may face a dilemma.

Pep Guardiola has made no secret that he sees his Brighton counterpart as someone who could replace him when he leaves Manchester City — which could be as soon as the end of next season — while Barcelona are also big admirers.

Alonso is also not short of options himself as another of his old clubs, Real Madrid, could be in the market for a new boss in the near future.

It is possible Alonso, 42, will stay at Leverkusen for at least another season if Real let it be known that they want him to succeed Carlo Ancelotti.

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