Jurgen Klopp delighted Liverpool fans by signing a new £15m-a-year contract on Friday. 

The German's extension will tie him to Anfield until 2024, finally putting to bed those rumours of him taking a sabbatical.

After all, what reason would he have to leave? 

The Reds are European champions and finally look set to end their three-decade wait for a domestic title, leading Leicester City by eight points going into the weekend's round of fixtures. 

It's more than anyone could have dreamed of when Klopp took over a Liverpool side languishing in 10th place after the departure of Brendan Rodgers. 

That was all the way back in October 2015. The former Borussia Dortmund boss was the club's number one target and despite his huge achievements in Germany, they didn't have too much trouble getting their man. 

Klopp came surprisingly cheap too, initially penning a three-year deal worth £5million a year. 

In July 2016, that contract was extended to a six-year one. However, it included only a relatively small pay rise as he was still receiving just £7m annually.

We say *just*. Yes, in the real world these are extortionate figures, but compared to some of his top flight managerial rivals, it's relatively small change.

Jose Mourinho walked straight into a £15m-a-year salary at Tottenham while even the inexperienced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earns £7.5m-a-year at Manchester United. 

So, fast forward to December 2019 and it's only right that Klopp has finally been rewarded for his outstanding work at Melwood with a wage to match Mourinho's and edge him a little closer towards Pep Guardiola's £20m-a-year. 

"This club is in such a good place, I couldn't contemplate leaving," Klopp told Liverpool's official website. 

"For me personally this is a statement of intent, one which is built on my knowledge of what we as a partnership have achieved so far and what is still there for us to achieve.

"When I see the development of the club and the collaborative work that continues to take place, I feel my contribution can only grow...

"When the call came in autumn 2015, I felt we were perfect for each other; if anything, now I feel I underestimated that.

"It is only with a total belief that the collaboration remains totally complementary on both sides that I am able to make this commitment to 2024.

"If I didn't, I would not be re-signing." 

Liverpool could not have had a better start to their weekend as they prepare to face bottom-of-the-table Watford.