Tying down Senegal forward Sadio Mane to a new long-term deal was a statement move, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said on Friday.
Mane, who has scored six league goals this season, signed a new contract with the Anfield club on Thursday, following in the footsteps of his fellow attackers Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino, who agreed long-term deals in the last year.
“I’m pleased that he’s signed this contract. It’s a big sign,” Klopp said ahead of the Premier League fixture at Watford on Saturday.
“If a player is in a good moment and you can extend his contract, it is more than a signing, it’s a statement.”
Klopp said the contract renewal was further evidence that his best players didn’t have to leave in order to chase success.
Liverpool had previously been unable to prevent Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho leave for Barcelona.
“It shows the change the club has made. In the past, players thought they had to leave the club to make the next step. Now, our boys think they can make the next step here,” Klopp said.
Liverpool are second in the Premier League standings with 30 points from 12 games, two points behind Manchester City, as they chase their first league title since 1990.
Egypt coach Javier Aguirre had speculated that Salah could leave Liverpool if they did not win a title in the next two seasons, but Klopp dismissed the threat.
“I’ll try to be nice,” the German said. “If he (Aguirre) doesn’t win in the next two years, he has to move to another club or country... I don’t agree with that, but it’s a free world, and he can say anything he wants.”
ICYMI, Sadio Mane has agreed terms on a new long-term deal with the Reds.😍
Full story: https://t.co/ONaoWv3wXu
Video interview: https://t.co/n5WVfcpuyW
All 40 goals: https://t.co/ilyvqbCduo
Melwood gallery: https://t.co/vvAGbEWedx pic.twitter.com/WJLdAfy0Lk
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 23, 2018
Shifting his focus to seventh-placed Watford, Klopp said he expected a tough test at Vicarage Road, where title rivals Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 2-1 defeat in September.
“They’ve been good. They play good football, are lively, and well organised... with a good game plan,” the German added.
“It will be interesting. They have quick wingers and good central midfielders. I saw the game against Tottenham, and they were good. It’s a proper package... the best Watford team since I’ve come to England.”
Skipper Jordan Henderson is fit for the clash after missing England’s Nations League win over Croatia with a hamstring issue, while fellow midfielder Adam Lallana is out with a minor knock.
🙌 The boss joins us ahead of the Reds' away day at @WatfordFC on Saturday... #WATLIV https://t.co/RGwIFwXuCM
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 23, 2018