De Zerbi has demonstrated how to succeed in style.

Paul Gorst: The energetic and visionary Italian coach Roberto de Zerbi guided Brighton to their best-ever Premier League finish of sixth last season with their approachable style.

The Seagulls, who are playing in their debut season of European football, are excitedly awaiting a Europa League last-16 matchup just a year into his tenure with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Although the club’s two best midfield players—Moses Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, who plays for Liverpool at No. 10—were forced to sell, De Zerbi was still able to motivate the team to strive for another title in the Premier League, as the south coast team currently sits seventh in the standings, ahead of Manchester United, Newcastle, and Chelsea.

Undoubtedly, the smooth functioning of the Amex Stadium and the resulting stability have benefited De Zerbi; but, Liverpool is managed with a level of professionalism that can only benefit a manager.

Anyone who steps in next has their work cut out for them as replacing Jurgen Klopp is an impossible task. However, during his time playing football in England, De Zerbi has proven that he has a history that merits further examination.

Alonso is not too Xabi

Ian Doyle: There has been a manager at Liverpool before Jurgen Klopp, a highly successful and well-liked figurehead. Indeed, the Reds have always done a great job of passing the torch from Bill Shankly’s appointment in 1959 until Kenny Dalglish’s resignation in 1991.

It’s a little different this time around though. Since then, the game has drastically evolved, and Liverpool has grown into a massive football and business entity. It’s not easy to keep that train moving.

There will be no emulating Klopp’s magnetism. That is not owned by anyone. However, if the person in issue is aware of what it means to be employed by Liverpool, a little character goes a long way.

Therefore, Xabi Alonso is the natural choice. Before beginning his current position at Bayer Leverkusen, where he gained his coaching stripes with Real Sociedad B and the youth club of Real Madrid, Alonso led both teams to championships in the Bundesliga, which they are currently winning this season.

Alonso is not just the clear option, but the only one as well. He also knows the particular demands of working for one of the top teams in the world, having played for Real Madrid and Bayern.

Because of his aura, Alonso is worth the risk.

Joe Rimmer: In 2015, when Brendan Rodgers left Liverpool, there were two obvious contenders for the position.

After winning the Copa Del Rey and his third Champions League trophy in 2014, serial winner Carlo Ancelotti made his first move away from Real Madrid.

Jurgen Klopp, the two-time Bundesliga champion who managed Dortmund as outsiders.

FSG will need to conduct extensive research on Klopp’s replacement as there aren’t as many obvious contenders this time around for the Liverpool manager position. More than just his immense popularity from his playing days at Anfield, though, Xabi Alonso is being connected to the position for a reason.

Not only is Alonso’s Leverkusen performing admirably, but they are winning 24 of their 27 games this season and are undefeated across all competitions. Along with scoring goals and playing visually striking football, they have done it in style—with the confidence that comes from, well, playing football the way Alonso did.

Alonso, in my opinion, has that manager’s aura, even though his employment would be extremely risky.