Liverpool had to work hard to secure coach Steve Clarke to a new contract.

The Sunday Mirror says he was mooted as making a return to Chelsea during the final days of Carlo Ancelotti's reign but chose instead to accept the offer of a long-term deal with Liverpool.

He had initially teamed up with Kenny Dalglish just until the end of last season.

But he finally accepted a three-year contract to help continue King Kenny's Anfield revolution.

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