Klopp tipped for Reds job

London – Juergen Klopp has emerged as the clear front-runner for the Anfield hot seat, with Liverpool hoping to appoint the German as a replacement for sacked manager Brendan Rodgers (above) by the end of the week, British media reported.

The former Borussia Dortmund coach is favourite to take over, with ex-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti also in the frame.

Klopp is understood to be open to the idea of a move, the reports said, adding that talks between Liverpool and his representatives were progressing well.

The 48-year-old has been out of work since leaving Dortmund in the summer.

Klopp won two Bundesliga titles at Dortmund and led the club to the finals of the Champions League in 2013, but lost the German Cup final to Wolfsburg in his final game in charge at the end of the 2014-15 season during which his side struggled in the league, eventually finishing seventh.

Klopp is understood to have spoken to former Liverpool and German midfielder Dietmar Hamann about the club, the city and the fans, the reported.

Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Stefan Effenberg believes Klopp will be back coaching “very, very soon” and thinks he is suited to Anfield.

“He gave me this answer a couple of weeks ago. He said, ‘I’m ready for a team that’s not on the highest level, to create something, to build something up’. This could be Liverpool, right?,” Effenberg told the BBC.

“Liverpool is one of the greatest atmospheres. It’s pretty much the same as Dortmund. The fans stay with everything behind the club and this is what Jurgen Klopp likes and what he needs,” the BBC quoted Effenberg as saying at a sports conference in Berlin.

“So maybe, very soon, we’ll hear something from Jurgen Klopp, to make a decision, maybe, for Liverpool.”

In a statement issued by the League Managers’ Association on his behalf, Rodgers, who was sacked after Sunday’s 1-1 Merseyside derby draw at Everton, said he was “incredibly disappointed” his 3-1/2 year tenure at Anfield was over. –

Liverpool is one of the greatest atmospheres. It’s pretty much the same as Dortmund. Steffen Effenberg Former Liverpool star