EPL

'He didn't extend until 2026 for nothing' – Klopp has no intention or quitting Liverpool, says agent

By Sports Desk November 01, 2022

Jurgen Klopp has no intention of quitting Liverpool before his contract expires in 2026, according to his agent Marc Kosicke.

Liverpool have endured a tough time of things in Klopp's seventh full campaign in charge at Anfield as they find themselves ninth in the Premier League after 12 matches.

The Reds have collected just 16 points from a possible 36 – only on three occasions have they had fewer points at this stage of the campaign.

Saturday's 2-1 loss to Leeds United, which snapped a 29-game unbeaten league run at Anfield for Liverpool, led to fresh questions being raised over Klopp's future on Merseyside.

However, agent Kosicke confirmed Klopp does not plan on leaving, nor does he fear being sacked by the club's owners, having only signed a new long-term deal in April.

"I can assure you that Jurgen Klopp has no intention of resigning from Liverpool FC," Kosicke told Sky Sport Germany on Tuesday.

"The fact problems could arise this season due to the past intensive season was taken into account by the club's owners before the start of the season.

"Jurgen enjoys the backing of the people in charge and is in regular contact with them. 

"He loves the club, his team and the fans and is determined to continue and successfully complete the transition in Liverpool. He didn't extend his contract until 2026 for nothing."

Liverpool may have struggled domestically this season, but they recovered from a slow start in the Champions League to reach the knockout stages.

The Reds have won six major trophies in Klopp's seven years in charge, including the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League the following year.

Asked about Liverpool's slow start to the campaign ahead of facing Napoli on Tuesday, the German acknowledged it will not be easy to turn things around.

"We can say now this was never [going to be] a quick fix, and now it looks like it is proven not to be a quick fix, but we will not stop fighting," he told reporters.

"Probably everything will be judged about me now, which is completely fine. When people look at me and say, 'He looks tired,' I'm not. I can't use that excuse.

"My job's not just to be here when the sun is shining; my job's also to be here when we have to go through a rough period. I'll do that with all I have, or if possible, even more."

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    Virgil van Dijk says he will be "part of" the big transition following Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of the season.

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    "There is nothing for me to discuss because there is no news," Van Dijk said.

    "I think the club is very much busy with who is going to be the new manager and that is the main focus.

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    Liverpool beat Tottenham 4-2 on Sunday, putting recent setbacks behind them to return to winning ways at Anfield.

    The Reds won the EFL Cup in February, and though a Premier League title now looks unlikely, Van Dijk is hopeful that they can finish Klopp’s reign strongly.

    "Listen, if you said at the start of the season that this is how it would have gone, then I think we would have taken that," he added.

    "We are winners, and we were close. We weren’t good enough in the decisive moments, but that is life. We have to stick together, and we will.

    "A few of us have been in title races and on the losing sides at times and it hurts. But we have to take this experience with us, and you only improve if you learn and that is the aim, and we can take that into next season. We want to give the manager a good farewell and do it for ourselves as well."

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