LEWIS STEELE: Brighton’s trip to Liverpool is an audition for Roberto de Zerbi… the Italian has the chance to show Jurgen Klopp he would be a worthy successor at Anfield

No matter how many impressive statements Sporting boss Ruben Amorim could make in a job interview for Liverpool, actions speak louder than words. And a fellow contender, Roberto De Zerbi, has a chance on Sunday to show the Kop just what he could bring to the job.

It’s a unique position for the Brighton manager, who brings his team to Anfield on Sunday in somewhat of a trial shift. 

Few words or remarks on a c.v. could win over the hierarchy and fanbase more than if De Zerbi passes this Anfield audition with flying colours.

Of course, it is a lot more nuanced than that. De Zerbi would not be offered the soon-to-be vacant Liverpool job based on the result or performance here. But a strong display could boost his case with the Reds hierarchy at the very least.

At this stage, the Italian manager has offered no indication that he would fancy the job, but there is certainly a feeling within football circles that De Zerbi and Brighton might part ways at the end of this season, with Bayern Munich and Barcelona also in the market for a new boss.

Young Portuguese manager Amorim has emerged as a strong contender. Noise around him has picked up drastically since Xabi Alonso, who Klopp described as ‘the outstanding coach of his generation’, conjured up a plot twist on Friday by saying he would remain at Bayer Leverkusen. 

Mail Sport revealed on January 29 that Amorim would likely be considered by Anfield chiefs. His Sporting side are flying, a point clear of Benfica going into next Saturday’s Lisbon derby. But De Zerbi has a strong case and serves as not just an audition for Anfield but Europe’s elite.

Is De Zerbi ready to step up to one of the continental giants like Liverpool, Bayern or Barcelona? 

It is a debate that has left football observers split. Judging his two seasons at Brighton alone, there is a Jekyll & Hyde feel to his results.

But it is unfair to say this season’s outcome will dictate his future. Albion started this weekend eighth and still with a fair shot of European football after achieving that feat for the first time in their history this year, a quarter of a century on from nearly falling out of the Football League.

Many have argued his style would not work at a big club. It is a fair point – he can get away with thrashings at Brighton – like the 4-0 loss at Luton, 6-1 at Aston Villa and 4-0 at Roma this season – but would be hounded if those scores happened at an expectant club like Liverpool.

But his list of references speak for themselves. ‘Roberto is one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years,’ said Pep Guardiola, a three-time Champions League winner. ‘There is no team playing the way they play – unique.

‘They monopolise the ball in a way it hasn’t been for a long time, a keeper like a holding midfielder, if you don’t play at a high level he can do whatever he wants against you. They deserve the success, and are a team I try to learn from. Like a Michelin star restaurant, unique.’

Jurgen Klopp said on Friday: ‘Roberto is doing an incredible job there. We improved over the 18-20 months since he arrived (in England). The first game was surprising, we were their first opponent when he joined the club. It was impressive how quick he got the team in his way.

‘Since then it has only gotten better. A really impressive, different way of playing football. When they have the ball, you have to be ready to suffer. The way they play is a really different way, I couldn’t coach that. It goes against my personality!

‘But it’s a good watch, very demanding for the players – clear positioning. He’s a top coach doing really well, super interesting to see. Brighton, on their day, can beat any team. But good news: we can do that as well.’

At Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk, former colleagues spoke of De Zerbi in glowing terms. In Andy Brassell’s book We Play On, it is detailed how De Zerbi remained in Ukraine until every one of his players had fled the war-torn nation. Many ex-players adore him.

De Zerbi’s Brighton have been a bogey team for Liverpool since the Italian arrived on these shores, with two wins and two draws against the Reds. Many eyes will be on the 44-year-old on Sunday, from Merseyside to Munich. Will he pass or fail his audition for Europe’s elite clubs?