Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, has said the days of the club acting as a stepping-stone for star players planning the ‘next step’ of their career elsewhere is over.

Klopp suggested Sadio Mané’s decision to commit his future to Anfield until 2023 – which follows the same deals for Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah – is a statement on the club's reinvigoration.

The Anfield talent drain has been demoralising over the last 10 years as Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Luis Suárez, Raheem Sterling and most recently Philippe Coutinho all felt their ambitions best served elsewhere.

Klopp admitted it was impossible to predict what massive bids might materialise for his players in future, but said Liverpool are better equipped to resist predators. More importantly, he thinks his best players believe they can achieve their career goals on Merseyside.

“If a player is in a very good moment in his career and you can extend the contract, it’s more than just a signing, it’s a statement. I’m happy about that,” said Klopp.