Jurgen Klopp is winning over Dietmar Hamann but the former Liverpool midfielder still thinks his fellow German cannot be considered a success at Anfield until he wins a trophy.
Hamann questioned the tactical nous of Klopp s Liverpool after the 2016-17 season, when they edged Arsenal to the final Champions League qualification spot after losing in the EFL Cup semi-finals against Southampton.
The Reds look nailed on to finish in the top four this season, with the chance of taking second still a possibility, and head into Tuesday s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City with a 3-0 advantage.
Liverpool s consistency has impressed Hamann, who, speaking at an event organised by One Family and the Ian Rush Foundation, offered a more positive review of Klopp s work.
He told Omnisport: There have been changes to a certain extent. They ve shown consistency.
It s all well and good to say we beat City, Chelsea away. All that matters is where you re at at end of season. More often than not that s been disappointing in recent years.
I feel for first time there s a level of consistency in the team and the club. I think you have something to build on, trophies can be won: League Cups, FA Cup titles, the Champions League.
Liverpool is about winning. [Not] just simply saying, We re improving, progressing. I think team and manager have to win trophies. This is most confident I have been in number of years.
The team s moving forward, progressing, but to go the last step is always hardest. They ve had chances, semi-final a few years ago, so I am optimistic and slightly changed my mind [about Klopp] but until he wins trophies I don t think he can ever say he s arrived at Liverpool.
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Following their 3-0 defeat at Anfield, City missed a chance to wrap up the Premier League title against arch-rivals Manchester United on Saturday by letting a two-goal lead slip for a 3-2 loss.
It would take an almighty capitulation to stop Pep Guardiola completing a domestic double after their EFL Cup success, with Hamann impressed by how quickly he has instilled his philosophy at the Etihad Stadium.
I think it surprised me how quickly he got his message through. I didn t think the football he played at Barcelona or Bayern [Munich] was possible in the Premier League, said Hamann.
But if you look at the players he s bought and had, the improvements they ve mad; Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane who was good but now top, if you look at Raheem Sterling who has always been a good player but even he is on another level.
The way he did it and how quickly, I wasn t surprised but a lot quicker than I expected.
