Juventus have drawn up a shortlist for the role of permanent coach that, as well as Benitez, includes Fiorentina’s Cesare Prandelli, Massimiliano Allegri of Cagliari and Italian national team coach Marcello Lippi.

But interim coach Zaccheroni believes the Liverpool manager is the clear favourite, and said: “I would like to stay in Juventus next season, but I would be proud to deliver to Benitez a Juventus in the Champions League.”

Liverpool responded to the news by formally contacting Juventus to remind them Benitez is under contract until 2014 and that any illegal approach for the Spaniard would result in legal action.

And the Anfield outfit are perplexed by the fact the manager has revealed his awareness of interest from another club without any formal approach having been made.

Benitez, whose team entertain Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League this afternoon, admits he is flattered by the attention from Juventus.

“As a manager you have to be proud that a top side is monitoring you but now we have finished the speculation; that is positive so now we can focus on Bolton,” he said.

“The priority for me is to win games. If we continue to win games everyone will be watching us for the right reasons. It is a positive circle. We have to talk about Bolton.”

Benitez, who is still seeking to bring in a right-back before the transfer window closes on Monday, does not believe the speculation will hamper his long-term planning at Anfield.

“We are working hard trying to bring players in to improve the squad,” he said. “I would like to improve the squad as much as I can.

“Those players know that I have four years of contract and if they want to come they will come because it is Liverpool, a club with fantastic fans, a fantastic team and a really good team with fantastic team-mates.

“I have four years of contract. I am very happy here. I would like to win a lot of games with this club. I was fighting before and I will continue fighting every single week, trying to do the best for my club.”