Saturday 9 July 2016 08:13, UK
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits 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 Europa League and Capital One Cup finals in his first season.
Liverpool 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," Klopp said after Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Tranmere on Friday.
"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."
Providing the right sign on the pitch was Danny Ings, who scored the only goal having spent almost the entire time Klopp has been at the club sidelined after cruciate knee ligament surgery.
"With his quality he will score goals for us in the future," added Klopp. "After the year he has had, he should not put too much pressure on himself to get back so quickly. He needs to get fit and after a long-term injury that takes time.
"You need to get a long-term period to get yourself 100 per cent but it was cool to see him score. It was a nice goal and he could have had one more. He will be really happy.
"Now I know that we have a long way to go and we have to work really hard."
