Mats Hummels backs Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to turn things around

Mats Hummels is adamant Jurgen Klopp has got what it takes to guide Liverpool through their early-season inconsistencies.

After drawing against Watford on the opening day of the season, Liverpool embarked on a four-game winning streak which ended with the 4-0 demolition of Arsenal at the end of August.

Since then, however, the Merseysiders have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions, a run which has left them seven points adrift of the two Manchester clubs at the top of the Premier League.

Despite this, Hummels, who spent seven years working alongside Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, is confident his former manager will put things right at Anfield.

"I'm following Jurgen Klopp really closely because of the seven years we had when he coached me at Borussia Dortmund," he told Sky Sports News.

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"I was really happy when he had a good start this year, but right now it looks a little tough for him and the club.

"But he and the team will get out of this situation, it's not too bad but it's not as good as they wanted it to be."

Hummels was speaking ahead of Germany's World Cup Qualifier in Northern Ireland - live on Sky Sports Football from 7.30pm on Thursday - where the reigning world champions can book their place at Russia 2018 if they avoid defeat.

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While matters on the international stage have been fairly straightforward for Hummels, the same cannot be said for his club, Bayern Munich.

The Bundesliga champions are five points behind leaders Dortmund in the league and are without a manager following Carlo Ancelotti's sacking.

Klopp has been linked with the vacant position at the Allianz Arena, but Hummels, despite being asked for his opinion of Ancelotti's successor, insists he is in the dark about any appointment.

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"Munich talked to me and asked me something, I said my opinion," he added.

"But I don't know if (former Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel) is the most likely candidate for the job, or if there is one or two others. I have no idea.

"I will be as curious as all of us, reading newspapers to see what's going to happen."

Watch Northern Ireland v Germany live on Thursday from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Football

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