Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to end his sabbatical to replace Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool manager, sources have told ESPN FC.
Ancelotti is among the front runners to succeed Rodgers after the Northern Irishman was sacked on Sunday.
Rodgers, who was in charge for just over three seasons at Anfield, was axed just hours after Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Everton in the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool are now searching for a new manager and are hopeful of bringing in a new man before their next game against Tottenham Hotspur on Oct. 17 after the international break.
Former Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp and ex-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti are Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group's top targets to replace Rodgers, but sources have told ESPN FC they face a battle to convince Ancelotti to take the vacant post.
Ancelotti is currently on a year-long sabbatical after leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season and sources have told ESPN FC that Liverpool have sounded out the 56-year-old to gauge his interest in taking charge of Liverpool.
Ancelotti is not totally ruling himself out of the running, but the Italian would prefer to takeover a club competing in the Champions League.
That means Jurgen Klopp is the hot favourite to return to management with Liverpool just five months after leaving Borussia Dortmund.
However, last month Klopp's agent, Marc Kosicke, said the coach "has not talked to other clubs" at that stage and, asked about a possible return date, added: "I think it will be the new season."
Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc believes Klopp could become the next Bayern Munich boss, telling Sport Bild: "It's factually conceivable."
Mexico Football Federation general secretary Guillermo Cantu also revealed last week that Klopp turned down the chance to manage their national team.