Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi should not be in the running for the Liverpool job, according to Arsenal legend Martin Keown.
The Italian is one of a number of coaches rumoured to be in the running to take over from Jurgen Klopp when the German steps down as manager at the end of the season.
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is currently the favourite to take charge, while Sporting Club manager Ruben Amorim has also been linked.
De Zerbi has been heavily tipped to move on to a bigger job after leading Brighton to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season while implementing an exciting and attractive style of play.
Keown, however, believes that the 44-year-old should be scrutinised for the Seagulls’ recent poor form, winning three of their last 16 games prior to Saturday’s meeting with Crystal Palace.
“I don’t think Roberto De Zerbi deserves to be linked with Liverpool right now,” the former England defender told BBC Final Score.
“Not with the 16-game record he has had. It has almost gone under the carpet. We like to talk nicely about their beautiful patterns of play – we haven’t seen that for a while now. Today is the day it is going to have to turn up.”
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