‘Energised’ Klopp quick to sign new Reds deal

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp is energised by the prospect of leading a “fresh” club to further glory after extending his stay at Anfield until 2026.

Negotiations over a two-year contract extension took very little time at all and the 54-year-old is now looking forward to building on the incredible foundations he has created since arriving in October 2015.

The speed and timing of the agreement – plus extensions for his key assistants Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz – came as something of a surprise with the club embroiled in the quest for an unprecedented quadruple.

But Mike Gordon, president of owners Fenway Sports Group, flying in from America for the Champions League semi-final first-leg victory over Villarreal was the first sign something significant was happening -– as was the appearance of Klopp’s agent Marc Kosicke in the directors’ box for the game – and less than 24 hours later the deal was done.

“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 told liverpoolfc.com.

“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.

“This one is different because of the length of time we have been together. I had to ask myself the question: Is it right for Liverpool that I stay longer?

“Along with my two assistant managers, Pep Lijnders and Pete Krawietz, we came to the conclusion it was a ‘Yes!’

“There is a freshness about us as a club still and this energises me.”

Last season, played behind closed doors when injuries to key players meant Liverpool’s defence of their first domestic title in 30 years never really got off the ground, took its toll on Klopp and the usually ebullient German lost a lot of his spark.

However, the form his team have shown since, with the Carabao Cup already secured, an FA Cup final to come, a 2-0 lead to take into next week’s Champions League semifinal second leg at Villarreal and a nail-biting Premier League title race against Manchester City, has reinvigorated the Reds boss.

“For as long as I have been here, our owners have been unbelievably committed and energetic about this club and it is clear that right now this applies to our future as much as I’ve ever known,” added Klopp.

“We are a club that is constantly moving in the right direction. We have a clear idea of what we want; we have a clear idea of how we try to achieve it.

“That’s always a great position to start from.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has extended his contract until 2026.