Jurgen Klopp heaps praise on Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi after Liverpool win

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Brighton & Hove Albion counterpart Roberto De Zerbi after Sunday's game between the two sides.

The match, which Liverpool ended up winning 2-1, was billed as an audition for De Zerbi, who is among Liverpool's top targets to replace Klopp when the legendary German steps down at the end of the season.

After the game, Klopp and De Zerbi were spotted hugging and exchanging words in the Anfield tunnel, and the Liverpool boss later revealed exactly what he said during the embrace.

«I told De Zerbi to keep turning the football world upside down,» Klopp revealed to

«I will watch it from some distance. I respect so much what he's doing.»

«It is incredible what he has done,» Klopp continued.

«Brighton have lost Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, they have lots of injuries, but he puts a team like that together. An incredible job.»

In the build-up to the game, De Zerbi put Liverpool and his other suitors on high alert by admitting that he was currently not prepared to entertain contract talks with Brighton, who he demanded must match his ambition level to keep him around.

«I am lucky because I have a clear idea and in my life I decide always what I want to do,» De Zerbi continued.

«I will speak with Tony [Bloom, Brighton owner] and the club and we will find a solution together without problems but I know my future and what I want.

»I want to compete and keep my ambition high because my life is football. I want to wake up happy every morning and fight to reach the maximum."

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