Liverpool closing in on Jurgen Klopp, announcement could be made later this week

The Jurgen Klopp to Liverpool move is gathering pace, with the English Premier League club reportedly close to appointing the former Borussia Dortmund boss as their new manager.

Brendan Rodgers was let go by Liverpool on Sunday, an hour after the 1-1 draw in the Merseyside Derby against Everton. Speculation immediately suggested Klopp was the man that the Liverpool owners wanted, and according to the Guardian, the Premier League club are confident of agreeing a deal with the German.

Former Bayern Munich and Germany international Stefan Effenberg certainly thinks Klopp would be a perfect fit at Liverpool.

"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?

"Liverpool has 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.

"So maybe, very soon, we'll hear something from Jurgen Klopp, to make a decision, maybe, for Liverpool."

Liverpool certainly are a work in progress, with Rodgers calling the team that he left as one in "transition" in a statement where he admitted his disappointment at losing his job, but also thanked the Liverpool owners for keeping faith in him for three years and four months.

"I am, of course, incredibly disappointed to be leaving Liverpool Football Club," Rodgers said in his statement released by the League Managers Association. "It has been both an honour and a privilege to manage one of the game's great clubs for the last three years.

"I have worked every day to represent the club to the best of my ability, to develop both individual players and a team that the club's magnificent fans can be proud of. There have been some very memorable moments during my time at Liverpool and I would like to thank all of the players for their hard work and commitment.

"The current squad is one in transition, but they have some real talent and are showing a strong sense of togetherness. I expect to see them continue to grow and develop over the coming weeks and I wish them and my successor well for the rest of the season.

"Liverpool has a magnificent football heritage and I have nothing but respect and admiration for the history, tradition and values that make the city and the club so exceptional. As well as my players, I would like to thank everyone connected with the club -- Fenway Sports Group, the Liverpool Directors, in particular Ian Ayre, my coaching staff, the staff throughout the club, the volunteers, the Academy staff and its young players and of course the amazing Liverpool fans for their unwavering support, passion and dedication which has made my time at the club so special.

"Finally, I would like to give a special mention to John W Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon. They gave me this great opportunity and even though we will no longer be working together I am sure our relationship and friendship will continue into the future."

Former Liverpool player and coach Phil Thompson is also of the belief that FSG decided to pull the trigger on Rodgers because they zeroed in on a replacement, be that Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti or even Frank de Boer, the current Ajax manager.

"If Chelsea make a knee-jerk reaction with Jose Mourinho, who would they be looking at? Maybe Ancelotti again, certainly Jurgen Klopp would come into that," Thompson told Sky Sports News.

"I think Liverpool have looked into that, and thought, 'My goodness, we have to make a move now'.

"I believe they have looked and probably already done the deal for it, and that is why they have made the decision.

"Whether it's Klopp or Ancelotti, I think the deal will already be done, and they will just be making sure everything is in place."