Rodgers aims to move Liverpool forward`

Manager Brendan Rodgers is targeting reestablishing Liverpool as one of Europe’s leading clubs after committing his long-term future to Anfield.

The Irishman has signed the new deal, believed to take him through to 2018.

While the Reds ultimately came up just short in the battle with Manchester City, a return to the Champions League is an important milestone and Rodgers believes it can provide the base for something even bigger.

“We’ll now move into the next phase. We’re into the Champions League. Our dream and goal is to win the Premier League,” said the 41-year-old. “We’ve shown this season we can compete for that. With some new additions in the summer we believe that we can fight again.”

Talk of the new contract began three months ago but Rodgers put any negotiations on hold, knowing full well the offer was there and he would accept it, in order to concentrate on the title run-in.

“It was very important for me (to wait until the season had finished),” he said.

“We were talking through the season but my focus was really on the team and the supporters.

“I wanted to just make sure we could focus entirely on what we were doing and on the job in hand — any contract talk we would speak on afterwards.

“There’s still a lot of development in the club for me and it was always going to be straightforward once the season was finished because I love being at Liverpool.

“It’s a huge privilege for me to manage this club and to have been offered the opportunity to carry on with the work I have been doing over the last couple of years.

“It leaves me hugely honoured. I’m absolutely delighted to be able to continue what has been a really exciting time for the club.

“We’ve got a bunch of players now that are very hungry, who are very committed to helping Liverpool.”

Owners Fenway Sports Group have been impressed not only with the way Rodgers has improved the team without the need for numerous and expensive signings but with the manner in which he has handled himself during his two years in charge.

In a joint statement principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner said: “We are very fortunate to have a hugely-talented individual leading our football performance and in whom we place our trust to deliver the vision we share for Liverpool FC.

“Brendan is at the heart of what we, as an ownership group, are trying to achieve on the pitch.”

Planning for summer transfers continues but progress is slow in talks with Southampton for midfielder Adam Lallana, although Liverpool have been offered encouragement in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can.