Hummels praises Klopp, ‘crazy’ Liverpool atmosphere

Matt Stead

Mats Hummels has praised Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, as well as the “crazy” atmosphere at Anfield.

Hummels joined Borussia Dortmund in January 2008, the Bundesliga club then managed by a young Klopp.

The centre-half spent eight-and-a-half fruitful years at the Westfalenstadion, winning two German league titles, and claiming a Champions League runners-up medal.

The 28-year-old played all but one of his seasons at Dortmund under Klopp, and he says that the club would not have been the same without him.

“We wouldn’t have had that success with another coach in Dortmund,” he told the Daily Mail. “He is very emotional. All the time. He can’t settle down.

“How intense? Every day, 100 per cent! The important thing is that when he thinks he made a mistake, he can really apologise to a player — whether that is alone or in front of the whole team. If he says something inappropriate, he realises it afterwards. He doesn’t take things personally.

“I can’t say I am a Liverpool fan, I don’t have a club in England. I just want Klopp to win. If he was coach of another team, I would support them. I cheer for Klopp!”

Hummels was reunited with his former manager in the Europa League last season when Liverpool and Dortmund clashed in the quarter-finals.

The Reds advanced in the most dramatic of fashions, sealing a 4-3 comeback win in the last minute of the second leg at Anfield.

“A bad game. A bad game,” Hummels said, recalling the April fixture. “We lost in the last minute and we got kicked out of the competition but the atmosphere before the game, even when we were 3-1 up, was crazy. I loved it!

“I remember coming through the streets on the bus and there were so many people cheering. It was loud, very emotional. It was something very similar to Dortmund and I think you can compare the two clubs.

“Liverpool scored with just enough time to make it perfect.”