Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that he has signed a new two-year deal to stay at Anfield until 2026.
The 54-year-old's previous contract was due to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season, and he initially outlined his intentions to take a break from football when that deal expired.
However, reports emerged on Thursday of an extension for the quadruple-chasing Reds boss, and the German has now confirmed that he will be remaining on Merseyside alongside assistants Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz for a little while longer.
"I stay for another two years. 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 after putting pen to paper on his new contract.
"There is just so much to love about this place. I knew that before I came here, I got to know it even better after I arrived and now I know it more than ever before.
"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. 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.
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"In Billy Hogan and Julian Ward we have leaders throughout the club who are completely focused on renewal and refreshing so we can continue to compete at the very highest level. We have managed to harness the best of what we have created already at the same time as injecting fresh impetus into our environment.
"The new AXA Training Centre is a superb home for us and the fact that Anfield will grow even bigger soon with the Anfield Road development, I can't wait for that. 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.
"When the owners brought the possibility to renew to me, I asked myself the question I've mused over publicly. Do I have the energy and vibe to give of myself again what this amazing place requires from the person in the manager's office? I didn't need too long to answer in truth. The answer was very simple... I'm in love with here and I feel fine!"
Klopp has now taken charge of 373 games for Liverpool following Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg triumph over Villarreal - his 229th win at the helm since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2015.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz 05 boss has won the Premier League, Champions League, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time at Anfield so far and will aim to add the FA Cup that collection in next month's final against Chelsea.
Klopp has also been named the World's Best Club Coach on two occasions in 2019 and 2020 for his feats with Liverpool, who travel to Newcastle United on Saturday one point behind reigning champions Manchester City in the Premier League table.
Ben Knapton
