‘Jurgen Klopp-like’ – Ex-Premier League manager would be perfect fit at Liverpool if Arne Slot leaves

Liverpool have been told that Roberto De Zerbi would be a perfect fit to replace Arne Slot should the Dutchman leave the club.

The ex-Brighton manager is currently in charge of Marseille, who will face the Reds in the Champions League on Wednesday night, live on talkSPORT.

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Slot is facing growing pressure at Anfield with the Reds struggling this season following his side’s Premier League title win last term.

Liverpool sit fourth in the top-flight, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, and 11th in the Champions League league phase table.

They haven’t lost a single game since November 26, but despite the upturn in results, performances have still been criticised with six draws amassed from the 12-game undefeated run.

And questions have been raised over whether Slot is the man to lead the Reds forward and challenge for more trophies.

Ex-midfielder Xabi Alonso has been tipped to potentially take over from the Dutchman, while Steven Gerrard has given his thoughts on taking the hotseat at his old stomping ground.

However, former Chelsea striker and talkSPORT regular, Tony Cascarino, has now thrown De Zerbi‘s name in the hat.

“I want Arne Slot to try and turn this season around,” Cascarino clarified live on talkSPORT. “They’re fourth but they’ve not played anywhere near like last year.

“I want him to try and turn things around in Europe too…but if there was ever a vacancy and De Zerbi was available, I’d know what I would want to do if I was Liverpool.

“That would be one manager I would certainly look at because he hasn’t had the funds and transfer ability to buy some of the best players in Europe and he overachieves with his teams.

“That’s what he did with Brighton and he’s doing it with Marseille.

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“There will be clubs that will look at him, Marseille are third at the moment and this season have drawn with PSG twice.

“There has been lots of good signs of improvement from the club.”

‘Very Klopp-like’

De Zerbi became Marseille manager after leaving Brighton in the summer of 2024 and he has made a huge impact.

The Italian boss has taken charge of 63 games in all competitions since his arrival, winning 37 of them and only losing 19.

He is getting the best out of former Premier League stars at the club, with Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri highlighting him as ‘one of the best coaches in the world’ ahead of his loan move to France.

Cascarino continued to pile praise on De Zerbi too, and has likened his aggressive play-style to iconic Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

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“De Zerbi is very Klopp-like, the way he sets up his team, the way they play,” he explained. “Everything about them is to get goals.

“You think that [he’s doing that] with players like Hojbjerg from Tottenham, Angel Gomes from Man United, Emerson from Chelsea and West Ham and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.”

Liverpool lacking intensity

Liverpool under Klopp were one of the best pressing teams on the planet, but things have strayed away from that with Slot.

And Cascarino is worried about them playing against De Zerbi’s Marseille on Wednesday, as they play like the Reds used to.

“Liverpool have to get the victory, it will be tough out there because Marseille play with high intensity,” he said.

“And one thing that Liverpool haven’t had enough of this year is intensity, which they experienced under Klopp and in certain periods of last season.

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“They’ve lost it a bit this season, they can be flat at times, they can be a little bit more slower from midfield into the forwards and they’ve had a huge number of injuries.

“The competition is demanding, with more games, there’s jeopardy involved… it’s a big ask to go there and get the type of victory and performance that’s required.”

Live on talkSPORT

Liverpool are in France to take on De Zerbi’s impressive Marseille side in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Kick-off in the league phase clash is scheduled for 8pm.

talkSPORT has live coverage of the game, with commentary from Jim Proudfoot and former England captain Stuart Pearce.

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