Roberto De Zerbi is among the early favourites with the bookies to succeed  Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Klopp today announced he is stepping down at the end of the season.

He is a big admirer of the Albion head coach.

De Zerbi made his Prem debut as Albion head coach in a 3-3 draw at Anfield last season.

He then enjoyed win by 3-0 in the league and 2-1 in the FA Cup over Klopp’s men at the Amex.

After the league game, Klopp smiled ruefully and applauded as he approached De Zerbi to shake hands in recognition of Albion’s performance.

Later that season, he tipped his cap to De Zerbi for his side’s display in thrashing Wolves 6-0.

Albion and Liverpool shared a 2-2 draw at the Amex this term – with both sides having chances to win.

They will meet again at Anfield in late March.

There is still a chance the two clubs could meet in the FA Cup or even the Europa League.

Both are through to the last 16 of the latter competition as group winners.

De Zerbi will be among the names speculatively linked with the Anfield job.

Xabi Alonso, who has led Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga this season, is the early 13/8 market favourite to succeed Klopp according to Oddschecker.

Current assistant manager Pep Lijnders is the second favourite in the market at 3/1, ahead of another Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard, at 11/2.

Other names at the top of the betting to replace Klopp include De Zerbi (15/2), Julian Nagelsmann (9/1), Ange Postecoglu (14/1), and Luis Enrique (14/1).

Klopp’s big decision was announced in a video released via Liverpool’s online platform.

He said: “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.

“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.

“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.

“After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth.”