Klopp ‘humbled and blessed’ to sign new deal as Liverpool prepare to face Newcastle
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Anfield until at least 2026 and bolster their bid for an incredible quadruple this season.
The German and his coaching team were already committed to staying on Merseyside until 2024 but now they have agreed to extend their stay, with assistants Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz also putting pen to paper on new terms.
“There are so many words I could use to describe how I am feeling about this news … delighted, humbled, blessed, privileged and excited would be a start,” Klopp said.
“There is just so much to love about this place. I knew that before I came here, I got to know it even better after I arrived and now I know it more than ever before. Like any healthy relationship, it always has to be a two-way street; you have to be right for each other. The feeling we were absolutely right for each other is what brought me here in the first place and it’s why I’ve extended previously.
“There is a freshness about us as a club still and this energises me. For as long as I have been here, our owners have been unbelievably committed and energetic and it is clear that right now this applies to our future as much as I’ve ever known.
“When the owners brought the possibility to renew to me, I asked myself the question I’ve mused over publicly. Do I have the energy and vibe to give of myself again what this amazing place requires from the person in the manager’s office?
“I didn’t need too long to answer, in truth. The answer was very simple … I’m in love with here and I feel fine.”
Tying Klopp down to a longer stay will be a huge boost for the club as they look to attract more world-class players and also persuade those already there to sign new deals.
Klopp has described Liverpool’s current fixture schedule as “brutal” but he knows better than anyone that nothing can be achieved without his players pushing themselves to the limit over the next few weeks.
The game against a rejuvenated Newcastle on Saturday at St James’ Park will be their ninth this month and their third in six days following the derby win over Everton and the firstleg win against Villarreal in the Champions League semi-final.
With the mantra of no pain, no gain undoubtedly ringing in the players’ ears, Virgil van Dijk said the team know what is at stake and they are ready to give it their all as they sit one point behind Manchester City.
“We’re in the competitions and we’re not just in the competitions to participate,” the Liverpool defender said after the 2-0 victory over Villarreal at Anfield.
“Nobody at the beginning of the season would probably
I didn’t need too long to answer, in truth. The answer was very simple ... I’m in love with here and I feel fine
JURGEN KLOPP
Liverpool manager
have thought that we are still competing for every competition, but we’re here now.
“We will give it a go. We will have to take it game by game.
“Today was a very important one, tough one.
“The tie’s not over and now we have to recover and be ready for a 12.30 kick-off in Newcastle.”
The timing could not be much worse with Newcastle having won their last four matches and their last six in a row at home.
But the Reds will stop at nothing to secure their place in history and the news that Klopp has extended his stay will be an added fillip.