Liverpool are close to appointing former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp as their new manager on a three-year contract.

Klopp is set to complete negotiations in Merseyside on Thursday, with the Reds naming the 48-year-old German as Brendan Rodgers' successor by the end of the week.

Rodgers was sacked on Sunday following the 1-1 Premier League draw at Everton.

Klopp wants former assistants Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz as coaches.

Bosnian Buvac, 54, and German Krawietz, 43, were key members of Klopp's backroom team during his time at Dortmund.

Liverpool had also been considering former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently out of work.

But the 56-year-old Italian has suggested he may only return to management next season.

He said: "I enjoy my time now but, of course, I want to come back to manage - to work - because it is my passion.

"I want to take my time to rest, but next season I am ready."

Klopp guided the club to two Bundesliga titles before he departed this summer after a difficult domestic campaign in which they lost the German Cup final to Wolfsburg and finish seventh in the league.

Germany and Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, 26, said his former manager would be a "fantastic addition" to Liverpool.

The Dortmund captain, speaking ahead of German's Euro 2016 qualifier against Ireland on Thursday, described Klopp as a "fantastic coach".

"He lives, eats, breathes and thinks football day after day," said Hummels.

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

When appointed, Rodgers' replacement will work within the existing structure and what has become known as Anfield's 'transfer committee'. 

The international break means Liverpool's next game is at Tottenham on 17 October.

They have won only four of their 11 games in all competitions this season, including victory on penalties against League Two Carlisle at home in the Capital One Cup.

Rodgers, who took over in June 2012, led the Reds to second place in the Premier League in 2013-14.

Source: BBC Sport

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