LIVERPOOL DEFENDER EMRE Can believes Jurgen Klopp has the potential to be a success at Anfield, while reports today suggest Liverpool hope to have the German installed as manager by the end of the week.
Talks between the two parties are understood to be progressing well, with Liverpool thought to be keen to have a new boss in place prior to their next Premier League game against Tottenham on 17 October.
Brendan Rodgers was sacked on Sunday following a stuttering start to 2015-16 and a previous campaign in which the Reds finished sixth, 25 points behind leaders Chelsea.
Speaking before Rodgers’ sacking, Emre praised Klopp’s work at Borussia Dortmund, whom he led to two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final prior to his Signal Iduna Park departure this summer.
“Jurgen Klopp is certainly a great coach,” the former Bayer Leverkusen player, 21, told Die Welt.
“I think he has demonstrated at Dortmund that he can suit any team in the world.”
Emre has been deployed primarily as a centre-back this season, with Rodgers choosing to field a three-man back-line, and suggested that the players also had to take some responsibility for their hit-and-miss form.
“We had a dip in form at Liverpool for a few games, which has cost us,” Emre added, who subsequently was at fault for Everton’s goal in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw that proved to be Rodgers’ final game.
“Although the blame’s been put mainly on coach Rodgers but, at the end of the day, we players have to be responsible for the situation at Liverpool. Rodgers has done good work at Liverpool — always.”
Can also spoke of admiration for former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who moved to MLS with LA Galaxy at the end of the 2014-15 season.
“I remember a moment when we were on the bus, focused on a match against Chelsea. I had been previously injured and had rarely played,” the Germany international continued.
“He sat down shortly before kick-off to me and said: ‘Emre, time to shine’. That makes you happy when such a great player comes to you on its own and says something.”
