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“It Is Difficult And It Still Is” – New Liverpool Signing Talks About His Time Under Klopp So Far

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By Thomas Hein

Georginio Wijnaldum

Liverpool’s big-money signing from Newcastle United is still getting used to his role at the club. Georginio Wijnaldum was signed by Jurgen Klopp and maybe questioned this transfer acquisition. The Dutchman has started all six Premier League games for the Reds and has been one of their better players.

Liverpool play with a midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana and Wijnaldum. And the Dutchman spoke about his role in the middle of the park.

“He doesn’t really give a lot of jobs to players. He tells me to be free and play how I can play. But sometimes it is different.”

Wijnaldum also revealed how he works with the rest of the midfield in pressing the opposition. The Dutchman was speaking to Liverpool’s official website and stated:

“It depends on what the other players are doing. You have to look at the other players. For example, if Lallana goes forward and Henderson also goes, I have to stay.

“Sometimes I have to get used to it because, normally, I’m the one who goes all the time. Now, I have to also look at the other players. That’s the thing that has changed the most in my way of football – that I have to look more at the other players.”

Wijnaldum also spoke about the lack of chances he has had to score. But he still expected his teammates to step up and get the goals thanks to a more fluid system by Jurgen Klopp.

 “It is difficult and it still is. In the teams where I played before, I was the one who was running all the time to make a goal and I came into more positions to make goals.

“Now it’s not so often, it’s a few times in a game. But we have more players to come into that position, so more players who can score a goal. I think that’s better for the team, because if you only have one player who can score goals it can be a problem. We have more players who can come into that position and have the quality to score goals. It makes it easier for the team.”

A surprising inclusion in the team at Liverpool

Not many expected Wijnaldum to sign for Liverpool in the summer, let alone star for the side. The 25-year-old was one of Newcastle’s better players last season as he scored 11 times. But his performances were inconsistent and many did not know how he would fit in at Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp however, has come up with a fluid system with Henderson playing as the deepest midfielder. This leaves Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana with the freedom to join attacks and set up teams.

As Wijnaldum eluded, there needs to be a tight understanding between the players. And that seems to be permeating through the system. While the Dutchman has yet to open his Liverpool account, he seems to be on the good books of the German manager.

His endless running and closing down of defenders certainly is working for this Liverpool side. Plus, he has gotten into good positions but is still lacking a bit of sharpness in the final third. That too will change with a few more games under his belt.

It is still too early to say whether this signing was a good move by Klopp. But most of his players are giving more than 100% on the pitch and that is all that matters for most Liverpool fans.