Jurgen Klopp rules out Germany job and vows to fight on at Liverpool

Under pressure manager insists he aims to see out current contract at Anfield, ahead of Champions League second leg against Leipzig

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during his team's 1-0 Premier League defeat to Fulham at Anfield on Sunday, March 7. Reuters

Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola punches clear under pressure from Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. AP

Fulham's Mario Lemina celebrates with teammates after scoring the winner. PA

Liverpool's Xherdan Shaqiri. PA

Mario Lemina scores for Fulham. AP

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson cannot stop Mario Lemina (not pictured) scoring for Fulham. PA

2021 A plane flies over the stadium displaying banner reading 'unity is strength - let's go Reds YNWA'. Reuters

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah after Mario Lemina's goal for Fulham. Reuters

Fulham's Mario Lemina celebrates scoring. PA

Liverpool's Naby Keita was booked for this challenge on Mario Lemina of Fulham. Reuters

Fulham manager Scott Parker. Getty

Fulham's Ademola Lookman shoots at goal. PA

Fulham's Mario Lemina challenges Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah. AFP

Mario Lemina scores for Fulham. PA

Fulham manager Scott Parker hugs goalscoring hero Mario Lemina after the match. AFP

Jurgen Klopp has vowed to stay at Liverpool for another three years, despite their historically bad form and the prospect of becoming Germany manager.

Liverpool have lost six consecutive home league games for the first time ever and have only taken three points from the last 21, suffering eight defeats as they have gone from top to eighth in a disastrous 2021.

But while Joachim Low has announced he will stand down as Germany's manager after the delayed Euro 2020, Klopp has ruled himself out of the reckoning to succeed him.

“If the question you are asking is whether I am available, the answer is no,” he said. “This summer or after this summer, I will not be available as a potential coach of the German team.”

Klopp retains the support of Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, has a deal at Anfield until 2024 and prides himself on not breaking contracts.

And he added: “I have three years left at Liverpool. It is a simple situation; you sign a contract and you try and stick to that contract. I had a contract at Mainz and stuck with them even though there was interest from other Bundesliga teams with more money. It is just timing. If it doesn’t work out, I don’t lose any sleep.”

Klopp believes Liverpool’s current plight is tougher even than the time he experienced in his final season with Borussia Dortmund, when they dropped into the relegation zone before eventually finishing seventh.

“Dortmund we were 17th or 18th in the league, which was horrible, but I think it is more challenging here now,” he said.

But he feels Wednesday's tie against Leipzig offers a better chance as it is a different competition. Liverpool boast a 2-0 first-leg lead as they look to book a quarter-final place. He said: "We have momentum in the Champions League."

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Midfielder Gini Wijnaldum thinks Liverpool can save their campaign in Europe but reckons they will have to repeat 2019's final win to get credit for that.

He said: “The Champions League can rescue the season but a lot of people say it is only rescued if you win the Champions League and everyone knows how difficult that is.”

The Dutch international admitted their results have been “really shocking” to the players and accepted that Liverpool have had their belief in each other dented by a series of setbacks.

“There is confidence in the team and in each other but it is less than we are used to because of the situation,” he said. “We were used to winning games and winning trophies and now it is totally the opposite.”

Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the last time Liverpool played in a full stadium and Wijnaldum is convinced they would be doing better if their supporters were in the stands, but said that is no excuse.

“I believe the things that happen to us right now would not happen with fans in the stadium,” he explained. “But I think we can do better even without the fans. When we analyse the games, it makes us more angry because we can do so much better than we do.”

Wijnaldum could leave Liverpool in the summer. He is a target for Barcelona, is yet to sign a new deal and could go on a free transfer and admitted there is “no news” about one, but said it would be wrench go to.

“The only thing I can say is that I am really happy at the club, with the team, with the fans,” he said. “If that happens you will leave a team you really love. I would be devastated if I didn’t have to play with this team anymore.”