Hamann: Klopp the man to ‘spark’ Liverpool

Dietmar Hamann has described Jurgen Klopp as the “ideal candidate” to take over over at Liverpool.

The Reds are progressing in talks with the German and the former Borussia Dortmund boss could be in position by the end of the week as Brendan Rodgers’ replacement.

“He is the ideal candidate for the job. He is the one I would pick,” former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Hamann told talkSPORT.

“The expectations and the mood couldn’t be any further down than it is at the moment at Anfield so it is a great time to come.

“I don’t think with his appointment Liverpool will become title contenders overnight, but you need to have a lift from somewhere and I think he can do this.

“Liverpool is a working-class club, a working-class town, and you need somebody that the fans take to. It is very important at a club like Liverpool that the fans take to the manager.

“For a lot of fans, Klopp would be the first choice and it looks like he is coming. And I think he can create that spark, that emotion, and give people hope again, which I think has been lost in the last 12 months.

“He has got a lot of love and passion for the game and this is why I think he fits the bill perfectly and why I think he will be a success.”

Klopp worked under chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke at Dortmund and he is another who has backed him to be a success at Anfield.

“He is a very good coach because he has a good mentality for it,” Watzke told Sky Sports. “He has a good style of playing football and I don’t know if he will go to Liverpool or to another club, but the club who gets him gets a very good manager.

“He can do every job, he can make every club (better) and Liverpool is very similar to Borussia Dortmund, it has the same structure and the same fans. It is a marvellous club.

“Every player he has in his hands, he makes them better, you can be sure.

“It is wonderful to work with him because he has a big understanding of the problems of the club.”

Carlo Ancelotti, who was also linked with the Liverpool post when Rodgers was sacked, has reportedly indicated he will return to management but not before next season.