After Jurgen Klopp Signs New Contract, The Future Looks Bright For Liverpool

When Jurgen Klopp was appointed Liverpool manager in October, 2015, he was asked what he hoped to achieve.

“Success,” the German told the club’s official website.

“History is great but it’s only to remember. No, we have the possibility to write a new story if we want.”

Klopp, 54, yesterday signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Anfield until 2026. Even in a season that could yet turn out to be one of Liverpool’s best ever, there is surely no better news for fans.

Liverpool finished sixth the season before Klopp’s arrival. In the seven years since, he had led the club to five trophies.

His “new story” has included the Premier League title in 2019/20 – Liverpool’s first for 30 years – and the Champions League in 2019. Liverpool also reached the final of the 2018 Champions League and was runner-up in the Premier League in 2018/19. The 97 points Klopp’s side recorded that season, one short of champion Manchester City, is the most a team has managed without winning the title.

Being a manager of a soccer club is a demanding, draining profession. There was talk that Klopp, and his wife, Ulla Sandrock, would soon be ready for a break. That when his contract had been due to expire in 2024, he might step away, if only temporarily, from the game.

The performances of his team this season, though, have convinced Klopp to stay. He says the “freshness” of the club still “energizes” him. He and Sandrock are happy to extend their time on Merseyside.

The appeal for Klopp is obvious. Having already won the League Cup in February, next month Liverpool takes on Chelsea in the FA Cup final. The club is a point behind Manchester City with five matches left in a neck-and-neck title race. And Liverpool has one foot in what would be its third Champions League final in five years after beating Villarreal 2-0 this week in the semi-final first leg.

There is still, of course, a chance Liverpool could miss out on the title, lose the FA Cup final and be defeated in the Champions League (quite possibly by Manchester City). But there is also a chance Liverpool will secure an unprecedented quadruple of trophies.

Klopp has seen what his squad is capable of and, like any top manager, is already taking steps to refresh and improve it. This season, Liverpool has brought in Ibrahima Konaté, 22, and Luis Díaz, 25. The 19-year-old Fabio Carvalho will arrive from Fulham in the summer.

Klopp’s tactical expertise goes beyond the high-intensity “heavy metal football” he previously said he wanted his sides to play. These days, the performances will often be more controlled, suffocating opponents, but the passion is still there and so are the results.

Success on the pitch is the fastest way for a manager to find favor with fans. Yet even before this period of sustained success, Klopp seemed to have a special relationship with the Anfield crowd. During matches, he is typically lively and animated. In interviews, he is passionate and honest. Even most rival fans would admit he comes across as likeable, with a fierce will to win surpassed only by his obvious love of the sport.

In that first interview after taking the job in 2015, Klopp was asked what message he had for the Liverpool supporters.

“We have to change from doubter to believer. Now,” he said.

They are all believers now.