Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has already made stance clear on Jorg Schmadtke appointment as sporting director

Former Wolfsburg transfer chief Jorg Schmadtke is reportedly in talks to take over as sporting director at Liverpool - and manager Jurgen Klopp has already made his feelings clear on the potential appointment.

The German, who is a former goalkeeper, spent four-and-a-half years at Wolfsburg before his departure from the club in February.

He primarily focused on signing players under the age of 23 for the club, from Germany and across Europe, as he tried to rubberstamp a younger blueprint on the club and its identity.

The likes of Patrick Wimmer, Jakub Kaminski and Felix Nmecha have all had positive impacts on Niko Kovac's side this season - and all were brought to the club with Schmadtze's involvement.

Should the 59-year-old be appointed at Anfield, he would replace Julian Ward, who himself has only been in the role since last summer following Michael Edwards' departure.

And Schmadtke has already gained the approval of Klopp, who has previously given his opinion on the transfer chief.

Klopp has given clear stance on Schmadtke appointment

The Liverpool boss has worked with two sporting directors at Anfield, with the role specifically designed for Edwards to take up by means of a promotion in 2016.

But the process to identify a new transfer guru, following Ward's announcement in November that he would leave at the conclusion of the season, has been a long one.

Speaking prior to Liverpool's 1-0 win over Brentford on Saturday, Klopp indicated that the club was getting closer to sealing a replacement, telling reporters that the process was "all going in the right direction".

In an interview with Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung in January (quotes via The Athletic), Klopp recalled how, as a player, he went on trial at Fortuna Dusseldorf, who had Schmadtke as their goalkeeper.

The German said the trial didn't go well, and added: "I was a total flop. I guess Schmadtke remembered that. He never made me an offer at any of his clubs. He must have thought: if Klopp can't play football, he can't be a decent manager either."

But that doesn't tell the story, with the 59-year-old described by The Athletic as an 'ally' of the Liverpool boss.

And in the same interview, Klopp said that he wished he had the opportunity to work with Schmadtke during his managerial career - and gave him a glowing endorsement: "I would have liked to work with him. I'm sure it would have worked out well.

"He's a top character, somebody who never changed in 38 years and stayed true to himself."