Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted that Tottenham should appoint Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager. The Italian replaced Graham Potter earlier this season and has been brilliant for the Seagulls as they continue to fight for European football qualification ahead of next season.
Antonio Conte was sacked by Daniel Levy in March with his former assistant Cristian Stellini suffering the same fate just weeks later. Ryan Mason has now been placed in charge of the Lilywhites until the end of the season as Levy considers a number of candidates for the permanent head coach position.
Spurs suffered a late defeat against the Reds on Sunday afternoon as Diogo Jota scored with seconds left on the clock following Richarlison's 90th minute equaliser. Jota was lucky to still be on the pitch with Mason questioning why the referee, Paul Tierney, did not send the Liverpool striker off after he kicked Oliver Skipp in the head.
READ MORE: Daniel Levy's reaction, furious Ryan Mason and what Son did after Tottenham loss vs Liverpool
Following the game, Klopp praised the quality in Spurs' squad but believes Mason needs to worry about 'other things'. In a post-match interview with BBC Match of the Day, Klopp said: “Did we [Liverpool] drop off? Maybe yes.
"In the first 20 minutes I don’t know how they [Spurs] got on the ball. The best way to defend a counter-attack is to finish your situation off, the second-best is counter-pressing.
"If you don’t do either then there’s a counter-attack. That’s what they’re playing for and that’s why you have to do the right stuff.
“The problem is in football the scoresheet is one [piece of] information out of 500. The one bit we misunderstood because we didn’t do the other 495 things and that’s enough for Tottenham to stay in the game. We gave them a lifeline and that’s why it happened.
“Ryan [Mason] has to worry about other stuff,” Klopp added after the Spurs boss had demanded an explanation as to why Jota was able to stay on the pitch after his tackle on Skipp. “They’re such a good football team, Tottenham, they have to play better football.
"They can’t just counter-attack, they have to play better football with that team. Diogo Jota has the foot high but he’s not going for the head.
“I heard Oliver Skipp could’ve had a red card. Did he speak about that as well? Wanting Diogo Jota off the pitch, worry about other stuff.”
When asked about the race for the top four, Klopp responded by praising Brighton and De Zerbi - who has been linked with taking over at Spurs. The German said: “Brighton played one of the best football games this weekend I’ve ever seen in my life [a 6-0 thrashing of Wolves].
"I have to say, Roberto De Zerbi, wow. They are behind us with two games in hand. Aston Villa are developing. If we can keep them behind us that will already be success.”
READ NEXT:
Daniel Levy's reaction, furious Ryan Mason and what Son did after Tottenham loss vs Liverpool
Every word Ryan Mason said on defeat, Jota not receiving red card and gifting Liverpool goals
Tottenham player ratings vs Liverpool: Son and Skipp shine, Richarlison scores and Lucas error
Gary Neville names two players at fault for 'shambles' Tottenham performance against Liverpool
Transfer news LIVE: All the latest news and rumours from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham
