Liverpool fans react with regret as Gini Wijnaldum stars for the Netherlands vs Ukraine with a goal
Netherlands midfielder Gini Wijnaldum has departed Liverpool as a free agent to join Paris Saint-Germain. The Dutchman had the option to join Barcelona but chose the Ligue 1 side instead- as reported by the Mirror and covered by TheKopTimes.
Nevertheless, whichever side he chose to join, he would be a big miss for Liverpool. Perhaps his best attribute this season was his availability, something that Liverpool needed the most.
With players at the club being injured left, right, and centre, Wijnaldum was an ever-present in midfield and went on to make 51 appearances for the club in all competitions. (h/t Transfermarkt)
🇳🇱 Georginio Wijnaldum has scored 15 goals in his last 26 appearances for the Netherlands 🔥#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/wZMk2eMQzZ
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 13, 2021
But that’s not all that he offered. The Dutchman, as he showed against Barcelona some 2 years back in the UEFA Champions League, was capable of pulling up big-game performances when called upon.
Gini is already missed by LFC fans
Many fans, as we would see below, felt his role at Liverpool was slightly more restricted at the Reds and he was allowed more freedom for The Netherlands. That is, of course, a hard thing to prove.
Gini, as the fans called him at Liverpool, captained his country against Ukraine in their first group game of the UEFA Euros 2020. They rocketed ahead with a 2 goal lead but then conceded 2 in quick succession with a little more than 10 minutes left on the clock.
But it was the 30-year-old midfielder that got the scoring started. Wijnaldum latched onto a rebound from Ukraine’s goalkeeper and made a blitz near the edge of the box to slot in the game’s first goal.
It didn’t take long for the game to be level at 2-2 but Denzel Dumfries scored in the 85th minute to hand Holland all three points. And of course, after the game, Liverpool fans wondered what could have been had Wijnaldum extended his deal at the club.
More Liverpool News:
- Transfer News: Liverpool linked with Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
- Transfer News: Outgoing Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum reveals reason for choosing PSG over Barcelona
- Liverpool Transfer News: Liverpool ‘plotting’ Kingsley Coman swoop
Here are some of the best-handpicked reactions from Twitter.
Ahh Gini, you’re breaking my heart, best of luck in the Euro’s👊🏽
— S Walsh🇮🇪🇺🇸(@walshielfc.bsky.social) (@WalshieLFC) June 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/VictoryAlex4/status/1404201291824381955?s=20
Already miss you, ya LEGEND. YNWA ❤️❤️❤️
— Manvir Bains (@MannyBLFC) June 13, 2021
Join Liverpool
— An (@AnfieldAn) June 14, 2021
Will always follow you but will miss you in red!
— scwas (@scwas) June 14, 2021
Already missing your work rate, willingness to produce, your smile. #YNWA
— @sysonator (@Sysonator) June 13, 2021
https://twitter.com/LFC_NatPhillips/status/1404226476510228481?s=20
Watch Gini Wijnaldum in this game in a more attack-minded position and then appreciate how superb he was in a disciplined role for Liverpool.
He was simply doing exactly what Klopp asked of him, to perfection many times.
Such a talented player when he's let off the leash.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) June 13, 2021
Full freedom Gini Wijnaldum showcasing a superb goal and creative threat, almost as if his role at Liverpool was to be conservative on and off the ball which was something Liverpool fans didn't understand despite him being a stalwart for over half a decade, lol.
— EBL (@EBL2017) June 13, 2021
