Jurgen Klopp is hoping that Liverpool defender Ragnar Klavan will sign a contract extension.

The experienced Estonian centre-back will enter the final year of his existing deal this summer and the manager wants him to stay at Anfield beyond 2019.

Klavan, who is set to be recalled for Saturday's visit of Stoke City, has proved himself to be a dependable squad player – clocking up 51 appearances since his £4.2million move from Augsburg in 2016.

Asked about the prospect of keeping Klavan beyond his current contract, Klopp said: “Yes of course. Fantastic player, really good footballer, he has all what you need. Of course I would but there are two sides to it.”

The Reds boss highly values the role played by the likes of Klavan, Alberto Moreno, Joe Gomez, Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke during a season when squad depth has been severely tested.

Klopp has needed those on the fringes to step up as he juggles the club's Champions League mission with securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.

(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

“Life is not that easy. We treat the boys with all the respect that they deserve, but at the end the only thing a player really wants is to be in the line up,” Klopp said.

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“Alberto is the perfect example. He played for me an outstanding season until he got injured (in December).

“It was the biggest surprise for most of the people: ‘Why is he in still?’ Then he played that kind of season. He got injured and it was already rubbish enough. Then the other player showed up like Robbo (Andy Robertson) did.

“Then you come back not 100% fit immediately. Now Alberto has no rhythm unfortunately but we need the boys. They need to help if they play at the weekend as well.

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“It’s the same for Ragnar. He was in fantastic shape then he got seriously ill. Since he has come back he has looked like a different person. I don’t know what virus it was exactly but it didn’t help. You need time to come back.

“They are unbelievably important. Joe played a fantastic season interrupted by a few injuries, the last one especially. Not too cool but still very important for us.”

With the games coming so thick and fast, Klopp insists he hasn't had time to truly appreciate the brilliance of Tuesday's performance against Roma.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's season-ending injury dampened the mood in the immediate aftermath.

"The next game is always coming," he said.

"The example of the last game is probably the perfect one. You win a game in a manner that nobody expected then and then Oxlade....

"That’s the life. You are like this in the dressing room then ‘aaah no’. Then the next day is waiting.

"I’m a happy person, I have my moments to enjoy it. To be really happy about it without thinking about anything else is only possible for people who are not directly involved."