LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 21, 2015: Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp during a press conference at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group Stage Group B match against FC Rubin Kazan. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool begin talks on new contract for Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool have begun talks to extend Jurgen Klopp‘s contract, just nine months after the German took over at Anfield.

Klopp’s current contract, which has the option of a year extension, currently expires in two years, but Liverpool are keen to tie the 49-year-old down for much longer.

It’s reported that the new contract would not see a significant pay rise and focus more on securing Klopp’s signature for the long-term future. Klopp is reportedly on around £5 million per year currently.

Owners FSG are said to be pleased with Klopp’s style and believe that they are “on the same page when it comes to recruiting players who will become stars at Anfield rather than obsessing over ready-made, ultra-expensive superstars moving elsewhere.”

FSG’s trust in Klopp appears to have seen a slight change in control over transfers at the club, with the four new signings this summer having clear indications of Klopp’s input.

Serbian Marko Grujic was reportedly recommended by Klopp’s assistant, Zeljko Buvac, Joel Matip and Loris Karius have been acquired from Bundesliga, while Klopp has spoke of his interest in Sadio Mane before he joined Southampton.

Furthermore, Mario Gotze, heavily linked earlier in the summer, is of course a player Klopp knows well, while reported left-back target Ben Chilwell is another who has been recommended by one of Klopp’s friends, Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner.

Under previous boss Brendan Rodgers, there appeared to be a problem between the manager and the club’s so-called transfer committee. Several players signed at Rodgers’ behest didn’t work out, while several signings identified by the scouting department – such as Alberto Moreno, Luis Alberto, Lazar Markovic and Iago Aspas – were given short shrift under the Northern Irishman.

Klopp giving a lot of youngsters a proper chance in the first-team towards the end of last season will also have pleased FSG, with the manager also seemingly happy to give Joe Gomez an opportunity this coming season rather than sign another centre-back. Midfielder Cameron Brannagan is also set to play a role and will get plenty of opportunity to impress this pre-season.

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