Gian Piero Gasperini has been tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool (Reuters)
Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini says he is happy to be linked with a move to Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.
The 66-year-old masterminded Atalanta’s 3-0 win at Anfield in the Europa League quarter final first leg last week and his side are now strong favourites to secure a place in the semi final on Thursday evening.
Speaking after Atalanta’s win, Italian football expert James Horncastle said he felt Gasperini should be among the contenders to replace Klopp this summer.
‘There’s a big vacancy here [at Liverpool] in the summer,’ Horncastle said on TNT Sport.
‘And that guy, Gian Piero Gasperini, doesn’t get talked about. Over eight years, he’s probably punched above his weight, per his resources, more than any other coach.
‘I think he should be in the conversation for more of these jobs.’
When asked about being tipped as Klopp’s successor at Liverpool, Gasperini said on Wednesday: ‘This is the period of comparisons, if there was interest it would be pleasant.
Gian Piero Gasperini masterminded Atalanta’s 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield last week (Reuters)
‘Now, however, we think about Liverpool, then Fiorentina in the Italian Cup.
‘Two fundamental and beautiful moments. We must be happy with what we have done. We want to end well after a good run.’
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Gasperini has also warned his players against complacency ahead of their second leg against Liverpool on Thursday evening.
‘We have to think about having to qualify by starting from 0-0 on this pitch,’ Gasperini said.
‘Liverpool is always a great team. In this period the championships are seeing strange results, everyone gives 110 per cent. But Liverpool remains one of the greatest teams in the world.
‘We have to approach the match like in Liverpool, thinking of having to score and get a result.’
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