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 candidate, Roberto De Zerbi, has the opportunity on Sunday to show the Kop what he has to offer.

It is a unique position for the Brighton manager, who will bring his team to Anfield on Sunday in a sort of trial squad.

There are few words or comments on a CV that can convince the hierarchy and fanbase more than De Zerbi passing this Anfield audition with flying colors.

Of course it is much 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 at least strengthen his case with the Reds hierarchy.

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

Jurgen Klopp called the Brighton boss a ‘top coach’ at his press conference

Klopp praised Brighton’s ‘super interesting’ style ahead of their visit to Anfield on Sunday

Young Portuguese manager Amorim has emerged as a strong contender. The noise around him has increased dramatically since Xabi Alonso, who Klopp described as ‘the outstanding coach of his generation’, pulled off a plot twist on Friday by saying he would stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

Mail Sport announced on January 29 that Amorim was likely to be considered by Anfield chiefs. His sporting side is flying, a point ahead of Benfica going into next Saturday’s Lisbon derby. But De Zerbi has a strong case and serves as an audition not only for Anfield, but also for Europe’s elite.

Is De Zerbi ready to make the switch to one of the continental giants such as Liverpool, Bayern or Barcelona?

It is a debate that has divided football observers. Just looking at his two seasons at Brighton, there is a Jekyll & Hyde feel to his results.

But it is unfair to say that the outcome of this season will determine his future. Albion started this weekend in eighth position and still had a decent chance of winning European football after achieving that feat for the first time in their history this year, a quarter of a century after almost crashing out of the Football League.

Many have argued that his style would not work at a big club. It’s a fair point – he can get away with a thrashing at Brighton – such as the 4-0 defeat at Luton, 6-1 at Aston Villa and 4-0 at Roma this season – but he would be hounded if those scores at an upcoming competition would happen. club like Liverpool.

But his list of references speaks for itself. “Roberto is one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years,” said three-time Champions League winner Pep Guardiola. ‘There is no team that plays the way they play: unique.

‘They monopolize the ball in a way that hasn’t been the case for a long time, a goalkeeper like a 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.’

Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has emerged as a strong contender for the Anfield job

Amorim’s Sporting side are flying, one point ahead of Benfica going into next Saturday’s Lisbon derby

Klopp described Xabi Alonso as ‘the outstanding coach of his generation’, although the Bayer Leverkusen boss announced he will remain at the Bundesliga club at the end of the season

Klopp has never beaten De Zerbi’s Brighton. They have been a bogey team for Liverpool since the Italian arrived on these shores, with two wins and two draws against the Reds

Jurgen Klopp said on Friday: ‘Roberto is doing a fantastic job there. We have improved over the 18-20 months since he arrived (in England). The first match was surprising, we were their first opponent when he joined the club. It was impressive how quickly he got the team moving.

‘It’s only gotten better since then. A truly impressive, different way of playing football. When they have the ball, you have to be prepared to suffer. The way they play is very different, I couldn’t coach that. It goes against my personality!

‘But it is a good watch that demands a lot from the players: clear positioning. He is a top coach who is doing very well, super interesting to watch. Brighton can beat any team on their day. But good news: we can do that too.’

At Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk, former colleagues spoke highly of De Zerbi. Andy Brassell’s book We Play On details how De Zerbi remained in Ukraine until all his players had fled the war-torn country. Many ex-players love 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?