Richard Hughes is a big fan of 44-year-old manager as Liverpool look for Xabi Alonso alternatives

Liverpool have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.

The Reds have been on the lookout for a new manager for a few months now after Jurgen Klopp announced in January that he will be walking away at the end of the season.

Alonso was Liverpool’s preferred target to replace Klopp, but reports overnight have claimed that the Spaniard is no longer in the running.

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes now have to find someone else to become the next Liverpool boss, and the latter is apparently a big fan of a rival Premier League manager. He could be an option now that Alonso is out of the equation.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is a fan of Premier League manager
Liverpool announced earlier this month that Richard Hughes has been appointed as the club’s new sporting director.

The 44-year-old, along with Michael Edwards, has been tasked with the appointment of a new manager to replace Jurgen Klopp this summer.

Xabi Alonso is no longer under consideration as he is reportedly set to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for at least one more season after this one.

Ruben Amorim is emerging as a key target for the Reds now, but Sky Sports journalist Melissa Reddy has revealed that Hughes is actually a big fan of Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi.

The 44-year-old Italian has made a terrific name for himself since joining the Seagulls. He is among the most exciting young managers around, and it is no surprise that Liverpool have been linked with him.

After the Alonso news emerged last night, Reddy said on X: “Liverpool more confident and at ease with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes in position to source the new manager. Stylistically (press metrics, directness, speed) + silverware against the odds makes Ruben Amorim a strong fit.

“Hughes is a Roberto De Zerbi fan – for good reason.”

What Roberto De Zerbi has said about his future
Roberto De Zerbi is a very good manager, and the job he has done at Brighton is really impressive.

The Italian will be a wanted man this summer. Liverpool have been linked with his services, as have Bayern Munich, who really like him as well.

De Zerbi has publicly admitted that he is happy to be linked with big clubs and has refused to rule out a move away from Brighton this summer. That should increase the optimism at Liverpool.

Speaking to Sky Sports in February, the 44-year-old said: “When I hear that big teams are interested in me, it is an honour. I am proud, but my focus is on my work day-by-day.

“About the future, I will speak with the owner and with the club because I want to compete in the best way I can. I want to understand the plan, and then it is not a problem to work in a big, big team or another big team.

“I would like in my career to compete to win the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, Champions League, but there isn’t a time when you have to go and compete, or to wait some more time.”