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Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he would have taken the Liverpool job following Brendan Rodgers’ sacking.

But he has still backed the man who did get the job, Jurgen Klopp, as the “right appointment” by the Reds.

The Italian was linked with the Anfield vacancy, but Liverpool never looked beyond Klopp, who signed a three-year deal with the club last month.

Ancelotti, 56, admits he would like to manage in the Premier League again, but accepted that wouldn’t happen at Anfield.

“I would like to come back to work in England," he says. "I love the football here, I still have a house in London, and I would like to be with a team that is competitive in England and in Europe.”

When asked whether he made contact with Liverpool in October during their search for a new manager, Ancelotti told the Daily Mail: “I did not speak with them.

“If I spoke with them then I can say ‘yes’, but no, I did not.”

When asked if his advisers did, he responded: “No.”

Liverpool took the decision to sack Rodgers, who was into his fourth season at the club, following an alarming downturn in form.

Klopp was identified as the club’s number 1 target, and they acted swiftly to secure the former Borussia Dortmund man.

Ancelotti, who would have been some fans’ pick to take the job, believes Liverpool made the right choice, and also insists he has a competitive squad at his disposal.

“I think Liverpool are a good team,” he added. “They have some really good young players — Coutinho, Firmino, Benteke. If they can find an experienced player like Gerrard or Carragher — an example to the squad — I think they can be really competitive.

“They made the right appointment in Klopp. He is a good manager.

“With the best managers you see their identity in their team. Klopp’s Dortmund team had a very strong identity.”