66-year-old responds to Liverpool manager links as Ruben Amorim makes latest claim

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted that he’s flattered to be linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

The Reds are searching for Klopp’s successor after the German’s shock announcement he’ll depart Anfield at the end of the season. Ruben Amorim is widely recognised as the front-runner as he aims to guide Sporting CP to a Portuguese league and cup double.

And while Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Germany chief Julian Nagelsmann are also reportedly in the frame, there have been some calls for Gasperini to be in the mix. The 66-year-old is on the verge of dumping Liverpool out of the Europa League. La Dea earned a 3-0 win over the Reds at Anfield in the quarter-final first leg and will play the return clash at Bergamo tonight.

Gasperini has been in charge of Atalanta since 2016 and twice been named Serie A Coach of the Year. But the ex-Inter Milan supremo insists that his only focus is on getting beyond Liverpool. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Gasperini said: Of course, I am happy with links to Liverpool job to replace Klopp but my focus is on the game. We can’t be distracted by this kind of links or stories, we have to focus on the upcoming games.”

Amorim has tried to dismiss questions over his future and whether he’ll be next to sit in the Liverpool hot seat. But when asked if Sporting fans would prefer to win the title or for him to stay beyond the end of the season, Amorim told SIC Noticias: “Both. Even my son asks me for both things, but the important thing is for Sporting to be champions. That’s what the fans want and that’s what we fight for.”