Liverpool are not interested in appointing Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as Jurgen Klopp’s successor, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Italian spoke out earlier this week to say that he was “happy” to be linked with the Reds job but, writing in his Daily Briefing column, Romano said there is nothing to the rumours:

“For sure, Gasperini has done a fantastic job at Atalanta in recent times so I’m not too surprised that, after beating Liverpool in such a convincing way with that 3-0 win at Anfield last week, there is some media speculation about him possibly replacing Klopp, but there’s nothing more to it than that.”

“I can say that there’s nothing at all between Gasperini and Liverpool from what I know. I think these are links just generated by Atalanta’s super game vs Liverpool at Anfield, that’s it. As for other clubs, again there will always be links, but for now, I see him staying at Atalanta.”

Gasperini is not among the favourites for the  job

As Romano says, the speculation about Gasperini is likely to have resulted from Atalanta’s impressive showing in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

The bookmakers haven’t even listed him as a potential candidate so that is all you need to know about the 66-year-old’s chances of replacing Klopp.

Who are the frontrunners to become Liverpool manager?

Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is still odds-on favourite, despite the fact that the Portuguese denied recent reports that he has spoken with Liverpool about the job.

Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi (who has also been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United) is second in the running, while the likes of Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann and Bologna head coach Thiago Motta are rank outsiders.

After Xabi Alonso ruled himself out for the job, it is believed that the club are taking their time to decide who their favoured candidate should be.