Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is delighted about the potential of his new ‘Liverpool 2.0’ team, and says he will stay at Anfield and see out his current contract at the very least.
Klopp reiterated that he sees his future at Liverpool having been linked with the Germany manager job.
Former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick was sacked by Germany earlier this month following a 4-1 friendly defeat to Japan, with the Euro 2024 hosts desperate to get their house in order ahead of putting on next year’s tournament.
The dismissal immediately led to talk in Germany of a potential move for Klopp, with a public vote placing him as the coach that the vast majority of people wanted to see in the role.
Klopp was quick to confirm his commitment to Liverpool though, with the 56-year-old under contract at Anfield until 2026 following what has been a glittering period in charge.
Since being appointed in 2015 the Liverpool boss has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, and despite some struggles last season he is currently overseeing a rebuild of the squad which has started promisingly.
Julian Nagelsmann gesture speaks volumes as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool exit plan evolves
Julian Nagelsmann, the coach surprisingly fired by Bayern in March this year, is now on the verge of succeeding Flick, with the 36-year-old set to agree a deal that will see him coach at next year’s Euros. Speaking to German media, Klopp has approved the appointment of the former Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig boss.
“I think Julian is a great solution because he is a great coach. I would be very happy about it – if it happens that way,” Klopp told RTL. “Age? It doesn’t matter! He had already proven at 28 that he is a fantastic coach. He has eight years of experience. Others have that at 45 or 50 – at the highest level. That is not a criteria at all.”
Klopp revamped his entire midfield in the summer, with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joining Roberto Firmino in leaving on free transfers.
Four midfielders have come in, with World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister joining from Brighton alongside three arrivals from German football in Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, Wataru Endo from Stuttgart and Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich.
All four have been involved in Liverpool’s impressive start to the season, with Mac Allister and particularly Szoboszlai catching the eye in a run of four wins and one draw from their five Premier League matches. Klopp has seemingly been energised by the changes, and reiterated his desire to remain and coach his new-look side.
“We’re building Liverpool 2.0 here, we want to attack again and not just look at how much longer can we go on?” he continued.
“I have a loyalty to Liverpool. My heart is here in Liverpool. You can’t just cut out the eight years.
“I signed a contract here and, as far as I can remember, I wasn’t drugged or tied up and had to sign with my mouth. That was a free decision. And that’s why it doesn’t fit.”
