Klopp set for longest spell at club after extending Liverpool deal to 2024
CGTN

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has agreed a contract extension until 2024, the Premier League club announced on Friday.

Former Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp took the reins at Liverpool in October 2015 and guided them to back-to-back Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, winning their sixth European cup last season.

"Four-and-a-half years from now sounds like forever in football. Nine years, (my) longest spell at a club," said the German manager.

"I'm just looking forward to it... It's good and positive that some people in football know I will be here for longer. It gives us stability."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (R) goes over tactics with Curtis Jones during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC in Bournemouth, UK, December 7, 2019.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (R) goes over tactics with Curtis Jones during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC in Bournemouth, UK, December 7, 2019.

The German spent seven years each at former clubs Mainz 05 and Dortmund.

Klopp took Liverpool to the brink of their first ever Premier League title last season, finishing a point behind champions Manchester City.

They are well poised to end their 30-year wait for a top flight league title after going unbeaten in the first 16 games this season, with an eight-point lead over second-placed Leicester City.

Klopp's assistants Peter Krawietz and Pep Lijnders have also agreed new deals.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (R) talks with Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah during a training session in Liverpool, UK, November 21, 2019.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (R) talks with Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah during a training session in Liverpool, UK, November 21, 2019.

The charismatic 52-year-old took over when the club were struggling for form under Brendan Rodgers and had fallen to 10th in the table. He guided them back to the Champions League in his first full season.

Klopp's high-intensity, counter-pressing style transformed Liverpool into fearful opponents and the team are currently on their longest-ever unbeaten league run of 33 matches.

Klopp shaped the team in his image with astute signings, including forwards Sadio Mane in 2016 and Mohamed Salah a year later — both of whom top scored in the league last season.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (L) hugs Dutch center back Virgil van Dijk to celebrate winning the 2019 UEFA Super Cup by beating Chelsea 5-4 on penalties in Istanbul, Turkey, August 15, 2019.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (L) hugs Dutch center back Virgil van Dijk to celebrate winning the 2019 UEFA Super Cup by beating Chelsea 5-4 on penalties in Istanbul, Turkey, August 15, 2019.

The German boss then strengthened at the back by selling midfielder Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in 2018 and using the funds to sign center back Virgil van Dijk, before bringing in goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

All four of those recruits finished among the top 10 for the Ballon d'Or this year, with Van Dijk second behind Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

A fan holds up a sign for Jurgen Klopp prior to the Carabao Cup match between Liverpool and Arsenal in Liverpool, UK, October 30, 2019.

A fan holds up a sign for Jurgen Klopp prior to the Carabao Cup match between Liverpool and Arsenal in Liverpool, UK, October 30, 2019.

Klopp also nurtured academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold and fellow fullback Andy Robertson, who joined for eight million pounds (13.32 million U.S. dollars) in 2017.

The duo combined for 23 assists in the league last season and were both named in the Premier League team of the year.

Source(s): Reuters