Jurgen Klopp will not make Liverpool 'title contenders overnight' warns Dietmar Hamann

Jurgen Klopp's arrival will not turn Liverpool into overnight Premier League title contenders, the club have been warned. Dietmar Hamann says despite the German boss arriving at Anfield with a stellar reputation, expectations must be scaled back.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager, who is close to being confirmed as the successor to Brendan Rodgers, according to BBC Sport, won six major honours in seven seasons at the Westfalenstadion, including successive Bundesliga titles. Klopp also guided the team to the 2013 Champions League final.

With Rodgers having departed with only six points separating Liverpool from pacesetters Manchester City, it is not inconceivable that the club could launch a bid for the title. But despite Klopp's standing as one of European football's finest coach after his exploits at Dortmund, Hamann is concerned demands might be unrealistic.

"It is a great time to come into the club," he told Talksport. "Expectations and the mood couldn't be any further down than it is at the moment at Anfield so it is a great time to come. I don't think with his appointment Liverpool become title contenders overnight. But at the same time you need to have create a spark you need a lift from somewhere and I think he can do this."

Despite having twice won the German league title, ahead of domestic giant Bayern Munich, Klopp's Dortmund were embroiled in a relegation battle during his final season in charge. Dortmund were bottom of the Bundesliga in February, but won nine of their last 15 games to haul themselves into the top half. Hamann is not worried by this recent lapse, though, and feels the 48-year-old is the "ideal candidate".

"It is a working-class club, and Liverpool is a working-class city, and you need somebody that the fans take to and the fans can demand everything," the former Reds midfielder added. "It is very important at a club like Liverpool that the fans take to the manager. I think he is the ideal candidate.

"For a lot of fans, Klopp would be the one they want as first choice and it looks like he is coming. And I think he can create that spark, that emotion, and give people hope again, which I think has been lost in the last 12 months. He can be mad, he is very outgoing but he has got a lot of love and passion for the game and this is why I think he fits the bill perfectly well and why I think he will be a success."