Is it wise for Liverpool to renew Jurgen Klopp’s contract now?

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German manager Jurgen Klopp has been a  revelation at Anfield. When he took over in October of last year, Brendan Rodgers’ formerly dynamic and thrilling title challengers had turned into listless, rudderless mid-table fodder. Klopp reinvigorated the team, getting the best out of players who had been struggling under Rodgers (i.e Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Roberto Firmino) and guiding Liverpool to two cup finals in his first season in charge.

Now, just nine months down the line, Liverpool’s owners are reportedly ready to offer Klopp and extension on his new deal. It is not thought that the former Mainz and Borussia Dortmund manager will earn any more money, but it will extend his current deal, which runs to 2018 with the option of a further year, in order to ward off interest from any other clubs.

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Liverpool certainly have a good thing going under Klopp, so extending his contract does appear to be a good idea. His passionate but intelligent management saw the Reds fight their way through to the final of the Europa League and League Cup, as well as finishing eighth in the Premier League.

Most importantly, though, Klopp captured the spirit of the club. The atmosphere that was felt on those European Thursday nights at Anfield when Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-0, turned around their semi-final against Villarreal 3-0 and, most incredibly, came from 3-1 down at home to former club Dortmund to win 4-3. Klopp and Liverpool have already given themselves freely to one another. It is a happy marriage which neither half wishes to divorce itself from.

There are risks to extending the contract this early, though, as Newcastle found out when they tied down Alan Pardew to an eight-year contract after he led them to fifth place in the Premier League in 2012. Their form tailed off, the fans grew angry with Pardew. Newcastle are now in the Championship just four years later.

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This will not happen to Liverpool or Klopp, and is an extreme example, but the point is still valid. Say Liverpool finish eighth or lower next season, but this time without the cup runs, and the Reds will be staring at another season without European football. Would the fans love of Klopp start to wane? Would the board start to think that Klopp’s methods are too rigorous for English football?

However, whilst there are obvious risks to tying down a manager for such a long period of time, especially after just nine months at the club, Liverpool and Klopp are in a happy, healthy relationship which should continue for a long time. With the German at the helm, the Reds have stability, the draw of a top class manager to attract players and the promise of more nights like the one seen against Dortmund. Klopp needs time to turn Liverpool into a force again, so the owners are completely right to give him as much as possible.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Dan Westwell