Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool Agree New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Liverpool have agreed a new contract with manager Jurgen Klopp until 2022, it was confirmed on Friday.

The Reds announced the deal on their official Twitter feed with the accompanying image of the German and his coaching staff:

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo noted the former Borussia Dortmund boss penned a six-year contract.

“When you have an individual of Jurgen’s quality in the building it makes perfect sense to secure that person for the long term,” read a joint statement from principal owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner and FSG president Mike Gordon on the club’s official website. “To not do so would be irresponsible.”

Klopp took on the job at Anfield after the dismissal of Brendan Rodgers in October last year, guiding the Reds to the Capital One Cup and UEFA Europa League finals in his first season at the club.

“We are very much at the beginning of our journey, but to already have the connection we have with this very special place is incredible,” said the man himself in the same statement. “I am the first to recognise that with this great commitment comes a great responsibility.”

The German’s previous deal was set to expire in 2018, although the Reds have acted swiftly to ensure the coach is at Anfield for the long-term. Squawka Football summed up the impact he has had on the club in such a short space of time:

Bleacher Report UK posted the following clip after the announcement:

While there’s been a difference to the manner in which Liverpool have played on the field since he took over, it’s Klopp himself that has helped galvanise a football club that had sunken into a malaise under his predecessor. The German is a vibrant, energetic presence on the sidelines, something that’s been reflected in his team’s displays and in the stands at Anfield.

The standout moment of his first term in charge was the remarkable win over Borussia Dortmund, when Liverpool recovered from 4-2 down on aggregate to win 5-4 in the quarter-final of the UEFA Europa League. The Reds went on to lose the final against Sevilla, but the run to Basel showed the potential of this team under Klopp’s guidance.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Former Liverpool left-back John Arne Riise was delighted to hear the news that Klopp had signed on:

As the Reds manager noted himself, with this new deal will come more pressure to perform. It means the signings he makes this summer will be viewed with increased scrutiny, while Liverpool will need to finish higher than the eighth place they achieved last term.

In an age when managers change frequently, to sign on for six years is a big commitment on the part of Liverpool and Klopp. It evidently means the German envisages building a dynasty at Anfield, and it’s clear he has the support of the football club to do exactly that.