Liverpool midfielder Pedro Chirivella signs new contract at Anfield

Liverpool have handed a new contract to Pedro Chirivella, with the promising Spanish midfielder set to remain at Anfield until 2020. The 18-year-old, who arrived in English football from Valencia three years ago, has become a regular fixture in the Under-21 setup on Merseyside and was awarded his senior debut by Jurgen Klopp as a first-half replacement for Kolo Toure during a 1-1 Europa League group-stage draw in Bordeaux in September 2015.

Chirivella also featured as a substitute in both FA Cup ties against Exeter City earlier this year alongside several other academy graduates including the likes of Brad Smith, Ryan Kent, Kevin Stewart, Joao Teixeira and Jerome Sinclair. He made his first start during the fourth-round replay loss to West Ham at Upton Park, where Liverpool looked destined for the lottery of a penalty shoot-out before conceding a late extra-time winner to Angelo Ogbonna.

Speaking to Liverpool's website after officially putting pen to paper, Chirivella said: "It feels really good. I have worked really hard in the last year. I'm very proud to sign a new contract with one of the best teams in Europe.

"When Liverpool wanted me to sign here, I had no doubt about it. But when I came here, I needed to perform really well because the club trusted me and I had to give them a reason why. With pressure and [being] away from family, there are a lot of things that make it difficult, but now I'm pleased to be doing really well here."

Liverpool return to Europa League action on Thursday 10 March for the first leg of their last-16 clash with domestic rivals Manchester United at Anfield. Klopp's side, who overcame Crystal Palace in the Premier League last weekend courtesy of a slip from Alex McCarthy and a hugely controversial late Christian Benteke penalty, beat Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburg 1-0 on aggregate in the last round.