Emre Can Hails Jurgen Klopp Amid Reports of Player Unrest at Training Schedule

Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has hailed manager Jurgen Klopp as "a great coach" and said he is "very fun to work with" despite reports claiming the training regime under the German boss has irked some Reds players.

The Daily Mail's Charles Sale reported Klopp's decision to start Liverpool training at 3 p.m.—to match regular weekend kick-off time—"has not gone down well among players with families," as they sometimes turn up at Melwood tired out by childcare duties.

Can, though, had only good things to say about Klopp, his training and his famously exuberant touchline antics, per German outlet Sport1 (via Dan Gibbs in the Express):

"

I’ve never had such an emotional coach. 

When you see him on the sidelines during games, see him springing around, then you see what type of man he is—that says it all. 

Jurgen Klopp is a great coach. Everyone who knows him knows he is a crazy coach, in the best possible way, and that will help the players. 

It makes it very fun to work with him and I’m learning a lot from him.

"

Klopp made a name for himself as an immensely talented and likeable manager during his successful tenure at Borussia Dortmund between 2008 and 2015.

Less than a year on from taking charge of Dortmund for the final time, Klopp is returning to his former home on Thursday for Liverpool's UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg against the Bundesliga side.

Having advanced past Manchester United in the last 16, it seemed inevitable Klopp's Liverpool would be paired with Dortmund, but it is a tricky draw for the Reds, as Thomas Tuchel's side are in sparkling form, per the Europa League:

However, Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe has identified a weakness in the German side surrounding midfielders Julian Weigl and Nuri Sahin:

The challenge for Liverpool at Signal Iduna Park will be to try to keep Dortmund's immense attacking talent quiet, and starve Marco Reus, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan of the ball.

Central midfielder Can could be vital if Liverpool are to take a result back with them to Anfield for the second leg, as he will have a key role to play in disrupting Dortmund's forays forward.

The 22-year-old German has continued to mature and improve throughout the season and was excellent in the second leg of the round of 16 against United, per Squawka:

It was always clear Can had talent, and he seems to be flourishing under compatriot Klopp.

Thursday will be a big test as to whether the rest of the Liverpool side are buying into the German's methods to the same extent, as only a complete performance will see them come away from Dortmund with a result.