LONDON: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he was surprised to be offered a new contract so early in his time at the club but had no hesitation in accepting.

The German has signed a six-year deal just nine months after arriving at Anfield, having taken the side he inherited from Brendan Rodgers to the Europa League and League Cup finals.

Owners Fenway Sports Group wants Klopp to plan for the medium to long-term which is why he has been tied down until 2022.

“Signing a new contract is like having a penalty. Now we have to finish it,” he said after the Reds’ 1-0 victory over Tranmere in their first pre-season friendly. When you talk about six years, it is a really long time in football; it is like 60 years.

“When they asked me, I was surprised but it felt right and now we are all happy. I asked myself ‘Is this the right option? Do I want to train another team?’ I asked my coaches and my family and they all said ‘No’. It’s all about getting the right signs.”

The last three Liverpool managers to sign extensions (Rafa Benitez, Kenny Dalglish and Rodgers) were all sacked at the end of the following season.

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