Roberto De Zerbi spoke of his ‘pride’ after his first game as Albion head coach ended in a 3-3 thriller against Liverpool at Anfield.
Leandro Trossard became only the third visiting player to score a hat-trick at Anfield in the Premier League after netting twice in the first 17 minutes before completing his treble seven minutes from time after the hosts had led 3-2.
De Zerbi said, “I told the squad in the locker room about my pride in their performance. I wanted the team to play with passion and intensity and that’s what I transmitted to them on the training pitch and they all played a great game.
"It was a crazy game. I am happy and proud for my players and my club. There was a possibility to win the game but Liverpool is a fantastic team. If we had won the game I wouldn't have felt like we had stolen anything here.
“I don’t know if I’m a good coach but I’m a brave one and I have to give credit to Graham Potter, who has put together a very good squad. The substitutes we made made a difference and we played a good match, with the possibility of scoring more goals at Anfield, where I know it is difficult [for away teams] to play well."
The Italian was delighted for Trossard, who scored Albion’s first Premier League hat-trick, and believes the midfielder is capable of even more.
“Trossard played a great game with two fantastic goals and the third was very difficult but he took the chance very well. But I believe he can do even better because I consider him a great, great player.”