Liverpool manager news: Reds interested in first-place European coach

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Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti, who could potentially be appointed the next manager of the Merseyside club amid growing pressure on Jurgen Klopp.

According to journalist Paolo Bargiggia, the Anfield side are monitoring the Italian coach, who has already beaten Liverpool this season in convincing fashion in a 4-1 win in the UEFA Champions League, with Napoli tipped to be the dark horses in the competition.

The Neapolitan side also sit a staggering 15 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, with the likes of Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia two of the best-performing players in all of Europe this season both domestically and on the continent.

And as a result, Spalletti’s hard work is now attracting interest from rivals clubs, with Liverpool now potentially looking at appointing the 63-year-old as a replacement for Klopp, who could leave the Reds in the coming months if things don’t turn around soon for the Premier League giants.

Bargiggia said: “Napoli are enjoying the deserved international attention, but from what I’m told, they must also beware of an interest from Liverpool for Spalletti. However, De Laurentiis, as I had anticipated, intends to exercise the option to extend Spalletti’s contract.”

Indeed, whilst Napoli’s president might have plans to secure Spalletti’s future in southern Italy, the pull of the Premier League could be a tantalising one for the Serie A coach, who could be keen to test his mettle in the Premier League having secured the Scudetto at the end of this season.

Liverpool have to be certain about Spalletti before appointing him

Italian coaches have come and on in the Premier League with varying success, with Antonio Conte easily the most successful of the bunch having made the move to English shores. And whilst Spalletti could thrive with Liverpool, the Reds have to be certain that the Napoli man is the one to take them forward into a new era.

As we know, Liverpool will want to appoint a manager who carry on the legacy of Klopp whilst also evolving the squad, and whilst Spalletti could provide just this, the Reds could be more intent on hiring other options in the market before looking to sign the Napoli figurehead.