Former Man United midfielder hails Liverpool’s ‘great’ Jurgen Klopp

Shinji Kagawa has backed Jurgen Klopp to transform Liverpool.

The Japan international played under Klopp during two spells at Borussia Dortmund as the head coach transformed the playmaker into one of Europe’s most-dangerous attacking midfielders.

Kagawa’s impressive performances earned the Asian star a £17m move to Manchester United in 2012 before the Red Devils flop returned to the Bundesliga club in 2014.

The Dortmund star has won two Bundesliga titles under the charismatic Liverpool manager, although he wasn’t part of the Dortmund side that reached the 2013 Champions League final.

And ex-United star Kagawa talked up the 48-year-old former Dortmund manager after impressive wins against defending champions Chelsea and title favourties Manchester City.

“I am interested in how much and how quickly Klopp, the manager that I know, can change the team at Liverpool,” Kagawa told Omnisport.

“He is a great coach and the results prove it, so I hope it will continue for him and I am interested in how much they can contend as a team this season.

“Already they have drastically changed and I have read articles that they won eight games in the last 10 games [seven in 11]. I do watch the games sometimes when I have time or when they broadcast on TV.”

Klopp’s side came from behind to seal a dramatic 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

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Liverpool are in ninth place and five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

The Reds make the trip to promoted side Watford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.