Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool open discussions with manager over new extended contract

The German's current deal is set to expire in 2018, with an option for an additional year

Jurgen Klopp during the Europa League final (Getty)

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have opened discussions with Jürgen Klopp over a new extended contract.

The German was only appointed at Anfield last October and his current deal runs until 2018 with an option for an extra year.

The determination from Fenway to secure a longer-term relationship is a reflection of their satisfaction with the job Klopp has done so far as well as their determination to intervene before any debate over his future begins.

Klopp is already the best-paid manager in the club’s history and, indeed, is one of the highest earners in the Premier League presently.

Negotiations are unlikely to be centered on money and rather, the ambition and direction of each party.

Under Klopp, Liverpool reached two cup finals last season only to lose both. An eighth place finish represented their joint lowest in the Premier League era although some concessions are understandable considering Klopp was unable to sign any players on a permanent basis and also given that he did not have a pre-season campaign to shape the Liverpool squad or team to his taste.

The lead figures at Fenway have enjoyed working with Klopp and they firmly believe he understands what needs to be done to transform the club’s fortunes. Liverpool have finished inside the Premier League’s top five only once since Fenway took ownership 2010.

Klopp has already overcome the issue of transfer decisions being made via committee consensus, as was the case for a period under his predecessor Brendan Rodgers before the system began to fail.

Each of Liverpool’s signings this summer have been at Klopp’s behest, with Joël Matip, Marko Grujić, Loris Karius and Sadio Mané all arriving on his say so.