Jurgen Klopp's replacement? Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini talks up links to Liverpool job as he seeks to finish Reds off in the Europa League

The Italian has helped Atalanta repeatedly punch above their weight since taking over in 2016, winning the Serie A Coach of the Year award twice, breaking new ground for the club in the Champions League, and now they are on the brink of the Europa League semi-finals. After their 3-0 win over Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool at Anfield last week, his odds of succeeding the German this summer have shortened. While he appeared humbled at the Liverpool links, the former Genoa boss said his side cannot be "distracted" by these types of stories.

The 66-year-old said, via journalist Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter): “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.”

Liverpool have been trying to find a replacement for Klopp ever since the German announced he was stepping down as manager at the end of the season. Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim appears to be the frontrunner, despite denying holding talks with the Reds, and their efforts to lure Xabi Alonso to his old club failed, with the 42-year-old staying put at Bayer Leverkusen. If Atalanta beat Klopp's team again on Thursday night, that could be a good screen test for the experienced Gasperini.

Atalanta host Liverpool at the Gewiss Stadium on Thursday night, looking to reach the last four of the Europa League. The Serie A side are in a strong position to do just that after their hefty first-leg win on Merseyside.