Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has likened Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi more to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola than Jurgen Klopp.
The Italian has enjoyed a positive first campaign on the south coast after replacing Graham Potter following his move to Chelsea. Their long-standing boss was snapped up by the Stamford Bridge side which left the opportunity open for the former Shakhtar Donetsk tactician.
Since he arrived at the AMEX Stadium, he has springboarded the Seagulls to European contenders to within six points of the Europa League places. During the course of the season, he has managed to take four points off the Reds including the draw at Anfield thanks to Leandro Trossard's hat-trick before inflicting misery upon on Liverpool while on their travels to the seaside.
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Lallana, who won a number of accolades during his time at Anfield, was asked about his working relationship with the 43-year-old and to compare him with his former boss, Klopp, and the City head coach.
He said: "I’d probably say he’s more Pep in terms of his football base. Proper patterns, a lot of tactical work, which you often hear the Italian managers do lots of tactical work but he keeps telling me he’s not like the typical Italian manager.
"He’s full of charisma, very tactile, very warm and gives you the freedom to express yourself. I’ve created a good relationship with him and hopefully he’s here for the foreseeable future."
Lallana left for Brighton following the expiry of his contract at Anfield and signed a new deal with the club earlier this year but is currently sidelined through injury.
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