Liverpool stance on Roberto De Zerbi as Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes keep open mind on targets

The Jurgen Klopp era may be entering its final days. But still there's time for the departing Liverpool boss to be given a reminder of when his reign hit absolute rock bottom.

"I can't remember a worse game, I honestly can't," said Klopp in the immediate aftermath. "I mean all, not only Liverpool, and that's my responsibility. So that makes it a really low point."

The Reds, of course, had just been humbled 3-0 by Brighton, a team that have become akin to kryptonite for Klopp since Roberto De Zerbi took charge on the Seagulls, who have been unbeaten in four subsequent meetings.

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More than 14 months have passed since that chastening afternoon on the South Coast, with the rate of change at Liverpool evidenced by the fact it's likely only two starters that day - Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate - will line up for the Reds at Anfield on Sunday afternoon when they again cross swords with De Zerbi's side.

Small wonder Klopp's propensity to talk up Brighton whenever the opportunity arises, although his latest such comments included a pointed reminder of the undoubted qualities of his own team.

Indeed, Liverpool's much-improved display on their last trip to the Seagulls in earning a 2-2 draw in early October signposted the respective seasons of both clubs, with the Reds chasing down a treble while Brighton, also hampered by extensive injuries, struggled to juggle domestic and European demands before being dumped out of the Europa League earlier this month by Roma.

The opportunity to land a psychological blow in the Premier League title