Philippe Coutinho is Liverpool's only current 'great', says Kevin Keegan

Kevin Keegan says Philippe Coutinho is the only Liverpool player who would merit a place in their title-winning teams of the 1970s and 80s.

Keegan won the European Cup, two UEFA Cups, three league titles and an FA Cup in six years at Anfield before joining Hamburg in 1977 and thinks the Brazilian - who has already scored five goals this season - is a class apart from the rest of the current Liverpool squad.

Keegan - who also said he expects Klopp to sign players from Germany in January - told sc.qa: "In the current squad, only Philippe Coutinho can find a spot in the great Liverpool sides of the 1970s and 80s.

"[Steven] Gerrard would have got in but he is gone now. There are not very many in this side who would have got into those great sides.

"Maybe Sturridge could if he keeps himself fit. I would be interested to see what Klopp does in the transfer windows in January and June.

"He is likely to look to Germany to recruit two or three players who can hit the ground running in the Premier League."

Keegan has been impressed by Klopp's early results at Liverpool, where he has lost just once in his opening eight games and won three of his last four including against Chelsea and Manchester City.

The former England manager has backed the former Borussia Dortmund coach to thrive at Anfield and thinks he has already stamped his mark on the side he inherited from Brendan Rodgers - most notably in their 4-1 win at City last weekend.

Keegan - speaking during a visit to Qatar to check on progress there ahead of the 2022 World Cup there - added: "Klopp is a perfect fit at Liverpool. 

"He has the character which Liverpool fans across the world relate to. You see a goal being scored and him going 'Yes' and celebrating with the players. He is a real players' manager.

"He's with them in good and bad times. Klopp's personality has contributed to Liverpool looking more energetic now, as seen from the win at the Etihad Stadium, where they took City apart.

"The win gives Liverpool supporters inspiration and gets the dream going again.

"That performance set me thinking whether the club is starting to play the sort of football their fans across the world want them to play.

"With his predecessor Brendan Rodgers that was not always the case. Liverpool weren't exciting enough, especially at Anfield where fans expect their team to go after visiting teams.

"Before he took over, Liverpool needed to be a bit more energetic, strong and certainly more disciplined.

"Klopp has installed these qualities very quickly and we saw the benefits against Chelsea and Manchester City. It is onwards and upwards now.

"I am hoping they'll be able to sneak into the fourth spot this season so that they can grow from there next season."