Klopp makes Liverpool commitment to lead ‘necessary’ rebuild

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have endured a frustrating season

Jurgen Klopp says the opportunity to lead a “necessary” rebuild at Liverpool was the main motivation behind his decision to sign a new contract last year.

Klopp committed his future with the Reds – with whom he has won seven trophies including the Premier Leaguuuue and Champions League – until 2026 when he signed a new contract last April.

After coming close to winning an unprecedented quadruple last season, Liverpool have been disappointing this season, 10 points adrift of the Premier League’s top four in ninth place.

With Liverpool supporters Jordan Henderson and Fabinho having struggled this season, many onlookers have suggested the Reds side should be refreshed, and Klopp agrees.

“I’m not saying it’s the biggest challenge, but it’s a challenge, and that’s one of the main reasons why I signed a new contract, because I knoow it’s necessary [to rebuild],” Klopp said during his appearance on BT. Sports Football People Podcast.

“It’s not going to happen overnight, and imagine the situation now with another coach in the chair. I’d go on holiday somewhere and everyone would be screaming my name, ‘with him it’s not going to happen!’

“I’m definitely not a miracle worker. That’s why it’s good, because of all the problems you have in transition – we had so many injuries and it made life very complicated.

“I’m fine with that because obviously I know the majority of the outside world is only interested in the short term, but we also have to focus on the long term.”

Liverpool are not the only giants stranded in mid-table this season, with Chelsea trailing on goal difference after the teams drew goalless on Saturday.

While Chelsea have spent lavishly to attract Mykhaylo Mudryk and Benoit Badiashile in the current transfer window, Klopp insists Liverpool cannot afford to do business in the same way.

“Obviously there are lots of different ways you can go about it, but it’s all based on your current situation,” he says.

“Chelsea with new ownership obviously… nobody knows exactly how they did it, how they managed to spend this much money.

“Nobody likes me to talk about other teams, but transition takes time if you don’t have unlimited money, otherwise you can change it overnight, signing 10 players.”

While Klopp would have spent 11 years at Anfield if he looked at the rest of his contract, he doesn’t believe he will last as long as several coaches.

“I know I dream of football, so it’s not cool… the job is very demanding, yes, but it’s good too,” Klopp added.

“When Roy Hodgson came back [to Watford last season], I looked at him and asked him, ‘was your flat wet? Did you go again?’ She said, ‘no, I like it’.

“I can’t see myself over 70 and still standing in the dugout in any weather, and especially any weather for training, two hours standing there in the wind. I can’t see that.

“I hope other things interest me that I’m OK with not being involved anymore.”