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Liverpool have identified Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi as a potential replacement for Jurgen Klopp should they fail to appoint Xabi Alonso, their top target, according to The Guardian.

Alonso has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Klopp, who is standing down at the end of the season, after his stunning impact at Bayer Leverkusen, who are eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

However, the former Liverpool midfielder is not certain to take the job, with Bayern Munich also in the mix given Thomas Tuchel is leaving at the end of the season, while another season at Leverkusen has not been ruled out for Alonso either.

Liverpool need alternative plans and they have added De Zerbi to a list that also contains Sporting’s Ruben Amorim and the Germany manager, Julian Nagelsmann.

De Zerbi, who has impressed since joining Brighton last season, is also believed to be of interest to Manchester United should they sack Erik ten Hag.

Speaking on Friday, De Zerbi insisted he has not made any decision over his future and that he is currently focused on his work at Brighton.

Chelsea and West Ham are tracking Gent’s Archie Brown with a view to a potential summer move for the English defender, according to The Guardian.

The 21-year-old left Derby for Lausanne three years ago and could return to England after impressing in Belgium with Gent this season.

Brown began his career as a left winger but has made strong progress since moving to left-back and left wing-back, and could be included in England’s U21 squad this month.

Chelsea and West Ham have been monitoring Brown, who is valued at about £15m, but there could be competition from Juventus, AC Milan, Lyon and Nice.

Chelsea are likely to want cover for Ben Chilwell, their first-choice left-back. They hope to sell Marc Cucurella, who has struggled since his £62m move from Brighton in 2022, and Ian Maatsen, who is on loan at Borussia Dortmund, while Lewis Hall is expected to make his loan to Newcastle permanent.

West Ham have favoured Emerson Palmieri at left-back this season but the Italy international could do with a younger back-up. Aaron Cresswell, Emerson’s deputy, is 34 and almost joined Wolves last summer.