Jurgen Klopp says he's putting plans in place to ensure Liverpool remain at the top once he stands down as boss.
Klopp has spoken openly about one day leaving Liverpool and said his plans to depart Merseyside for Germany once his contract expires in June 2024 are still in place.
"Not really, the plan is still the same," said Klopp when asked about his future on Friday. "I realised when I gave the answer oh god what did I do, I can't take that back. The plan is still the same, nothing changed really.
"If I decide in 2024 it’s got nothing to do with the squad, 'Oh I have to manage them or I have to stop managing them.' All the things I do are for the long term, all the things we do are for the long term, this club must be even better even when I’m not here."
Klopp's comments come just days after saying he "doesn't know" when he will leave Liverpool.
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He said: "Things will take time. We need the time, obviously. They're [the club's hierarchy] are interested in development, as well, not just in delivering immediately."
Klopp is blessed with one of the finest squads in Europe, winning the Premier League, Champions League, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time at the helm.
But his promise to hand the club over in a better state to the one he inherited speaks volumes, especially when considering a comment Wayne Rooney made about Sir Alex Ferguson in his Amazon documentary.
Manchester United legend Rooney claimed Ferguson got out of Old Trafford "as quickly as he could" once he realised the squad were no longer at the level to compete for major honours.
Rooney said in the documentary: "They were offering me a contract of £200,000 a week, so it would have been quite easy for me to say, 'five years, £200,000 a week… let me sign it now'.
"It would have been quite easy for me to do that. But I wanted success on the pitch – that means more to me.
"Actually, if you look five years down the line from that meeting – Alex Ferguson knew where the club was going and he got out of there as quick as he could, and they're still picking up the pieces now."
Should Klopp indeed hand Liverpool back in a better state to which he found the club he could potentially put Ferguson to shame, given the Red Devils have struggled immensely since the Scot's departure in 2013.
Liverpool are currently second in the Premier League, six points behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City with two games in hand.
The Reds have a chance of winning an unprecedented quadruple this season. They've already lifted the EFL Cup and remain in the hunt for the Champions League and FA Cup.
"It's nice that I'm asked that [his plans for the future] again and again," said Klopp in September after being asked about his exit plan.
"When the contract in Liverpool ends, whatever it will be, I first have to find out what it is like to lead a 'normal' life again. A year off. I've never had that. But I'm deeply relaxed there.
"When you're out for a year, it can also be a good thing that maybe no cock crows at me, which is perfectly fine. There are so many good coaches out there."
Aston Villa manager and Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard is the favourite to succeed Klopp.
The former Reds captain won nine trophies during his time at Anfield - including the Champions League - and has made an impressive start to his managerial career.
Gerrard guided Rangers to their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade last term and has led Villa away from the Premier League relegation zone since his appointment last November.
But he's quashed rumours of a managerial switch to Liverpool, insisting he doesn't view Villa as a "stepping stone" to the Anfield job.
"Very unfair," said Gerrard when asked. "You'll never hear me say it's a stepping stone. I'm really honoured and proud. I’ll give this job everything it needs to be a success, I don't think there's anything wrong with having dreams and aspirations.
"Liverpool have a world-class coach and if he was to sign a lifetime deal I would be very happy for them and him. Success in football is always about winning football matches. Long term, the club wants to be back on the European level.
"It's not the right time to put a specific date on that. We need to start winning football matches again.
"This press conference shouldn't be anything other than Aston Villa. Everyone knows what Liverpool means to me, and I said last week in a one-to-one that I’m all in."
