Carlo Ancelotti Talks Reportedly Denied by Liverpool, Latest on Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool have reportedly denied making contact with former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti about potentially replacing Brendan Rodgers at Anfield.

MailOnline's Neil Ashton recently reported that Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) had "sounded out" Ancelotti about taking over the managerial role at the club.

However, BBC Sport's Phil McNulty reports that the Reds have denied approaching anyone to replace Rodgers:

The Northern Irishman has come under increasing pressure of late following a poor start to the new Premier League season, which sees Liverpool lying 13th after two wins, two draws and two defeats.

Most recently they managed an uninspiring 1-1 home draw with Norwich City, a team they thrashed 5-1 in the corresponding fixture in 2013-14, the season they so nearly won the Premier League under Rodgers.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

The second-place finish in 2013-14 undoubtedly represents the pinnacle of Rodgers' career at Anfield since he took over in 2012.

Since then his side have been in steep decline—losing Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling in consecutive summers—and Rodgers seems to have abandoned the philosophy that made him such an exciting managerial prospect when in charge at Swansea City, per Sky Sports Football:

Should Liverpool's results not take a turn for the better soon, Rodgers will undoubtedly pay with his job.

Ancelotti would be a fine replacement—he has won Champions League titles with AC Milan and Real—and he is available having been dismissed by Los Blancos at the end of last season.

It is widely believed that former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is the front-runner to replace Rodgers if and when he is sacked, but FSG have reportedly been warned off hiring the German, per Simon Hughes in the Independent.

Despite this, some Liverpool fans are planning to show their support for the charismatic 48-year-old in a protest against Rodgers at this weekend's Liverpool home clash versus Aston Villa, per BreatheSport:

"

Liverpool fans are set to protest against Brendan Rodgers by dressing as Jurgen Klopp this weekend... pic.twitter.com/PPxRZeOrAC

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) September 22, 2015"

Rodgers has received a backing of sorts with Liverpool denying having approached any potential replacements, but it seems the former Reading boss is on borrowed time at Anfield.

The results have not been good enough in recent times and the style of play has been muddled. Rodgers needs to turn things around in the next few weeks or else he could be the first Premier League manager to be dismissed in 2015-16.