Jurgen Klopp’s current deal at Anfield was due to expire in two years; Liverpool’s owners stepped up talks to extend his contract following positive noises from the German’s camp; the new contract comes as Klopp remains on course for a historic quadruple
The German had two years left on his current deal and had previously suggested he could step down at the end of his contract – but he is now set to stay until the summer of 2026 at least.
The Reds have also confirmed that assistant managers Pep Ljinders and Peter Krawietz have also signed new contracts with the Merseyside club, in a further boost to Klopp’s new contract. There were concerns about Ljinders potentially stepping into management himself, but those fears have now been allayed.
Mike Gordon – the president of Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which owns Liverpool – flew in for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final against Villarreal, with one of his key priorities to discuss a contract extension with Klopp.
The 54-year-old’s agent, Marc Kosicke, was also at Anfield for Wednesday night’s first leg and sat a few seats away from Gordon, and led the talks following positive noises from Klopp’s camp.
Klopp, who has been in charge since 2015, remains on course to win an historic quadruple this season following the 2-0 win over Villarreal at Anfield that puts them in firm control of reaching a third Champions League final in four years.
His side also face Chelsea in the FA Cup final next month and are a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City with five matches remaining, having lifted the League Cup in February.
The German manager has won five trophies in his seven years at the club, including the Premier League 2019/20 title and the Champions League in 2019.
Recruitment over the next two summer windows is likely to focus on refreshing the squad after key players had previously secured long-term renewals.
‘FSG moved very quickly as soon as they heard positive noises from Klopp’s camp’“There was never any doubt, as when Jurgen Klopp hints he wants to stay at Liverpool, FSG acts – they did it in 2016 and in 2019 – and they have done so today.
“We were at training earlier today and it looked like something was happening like an official photo shoot. The club photographer was there, Klopp was there with his backroom staff and then had a separate picture with his two assistants as well. And that gave an indication things had moved pretty quickly.
“Just to put context on how quickly this moved, Mike Gordon, the FSG president, flew in yesterday (Wednesday) for the game and one of his key priorities was leading the talks with Klopp. He was sitting a few seats away from Jurgen’s agent as well, and that was all because of the positive noises coming from Klopp’s camp.
“FSG have moved very quickly given that positive move from Klopp, as they also did in 2016 and 2019, and now Klopp is staying beyond 2024, he is staying till 2026. And of course, there is still the small matter of the quadruple to go for this season.”
The Premier League title race run-in continues on Sky Sports with two rearranged fixtures – Wolves vs Manchester City and Southampton vs Liverpool – to be shown live in May.
As it stands, Pep Guardiola’s City are top of the Premier League by one point, followed by Klopp’s Reds, with five games of the season to play.
Now, two of their rearranged fixtures have been scheduled for next month and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Man City’s trip to Wolves will now be played on Wednesday, May 11, with kick-off at 8.15pm. Liverpool’s visit to Southampton has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 17 with kick-off at 7.45pm.
Jamie Carragher analysed Liverpool and Manchester City’s strengths and weaknesses on Monday Night Football and examined the areas which could cause them to drop points as the Premier League title race goes to the wire.
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp’s sides are still separated by a single point at the top of the Premier League table having beaten Watford and Everton respectively at the weekend.
They have five games each left to play, with Liverpool facing what looks like the trickier run-in on paper, but Carragher believes both sides will slip up between now and the end of the campaign.
“We’re talking about two brilliant teams,” the Sky Sports pundit said on Monday Night Football. “You can’t really split them in an area of the game, but I can see both of them dropping points.”