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      Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool > PSG)

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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #552: Aug 23, 2018 07:43:33 am
      His biggest problem since signing for us was a lack of consistency. Without jumping the gun, it looks as though he is finally starting to find consistency in his performances. I think the arrivals this summer has definitely had a big impact on him, he’s really upped his game it seems. There’s no questioning his ability on his day, consistency is just the key for him.
      PurpleMonkey
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #553: Aug 23, 2018 09:44:33 pm
      Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed what JĂźrgen Klopp demanded of him ahead of this season.

      Both of Liverpool’s Premier League games so far this term have seen the Netherlands international deployed at the base of the midfield, with James Milner and Naby Keita afforded more license to attack in the wins over West Ham United and Crystal Palace.

      Following the 4-0 opening-day victory against the Hammers at Anfield, Klopp commented that Wijnaldum is ‘ready to make the next step’ in terms of his development.

      And the 27-year-old has offered details on the regular discussions he has with the boss regarding how he can improve.

      “He said that I have to be more involved in games [this season], and that there was too many times that I was not involved and that it was easier to play a bad game [because of that],” Wijnaldum told Liverpoolfc.com.

      “I was busy with that and last season he was really busy with the No.6 position while my head was in the No.8 position!

      “But he said that’s also the next step, that you can play in more positions than only one because you have the qualities to play there and you can help the team to do better.

      “I speak a lot with him about it and he makes me also aware of what I have to do to become a better player or to make the next step.”


      Adapting his game to fulfil the ‘No.6’ role for the Reds was a feature of Wijnaldum and Klopp’s talks last season.

      So, the fact the manager has entrusted him in that position in the first two games of the current campaign must please the Dutchman?

      “Yeah, it’s always good if the manager trusts you and it’s always good if he tries to help you to become a better player, or in this case to make the next step. I’m always happy with that,” Wijnaldum said.

      “It’s not always easy because everyone knows what kind of manager Jürgen is: he always wants to see 100 per cent, he doesn’t want players to give 80 per cent, even in training.

      “So sometimes it’s difficult because every day you have to give everything to become a better player. It’s not always easy but I think it’s good for the players because he wants to help you get better.”


      Having to curb his attacking instincts is a facet of the deeper role Wijnaldum is still getting used to, but that is not taking away from his enjoyment of playing there.

      “It went good. You can always do better but I think it’s a good start,” was the No.5’s assessment of his performances against West Ham and Palace.

      “I think it went well [playing in a three with Keita and Milner]. It’s more difficult than it looks because sometimes on the pitch I also want to run forward and to help the attack as well and even score a goal, but when you’re playing in that position it’s not always possible so you have to keep the balance between the attackers and the two No.8s and the defence.

      “That makes it hard because I am from origin a player who wants to run forward and try to go with the attacks, but now you have to look more around yourself, look if the players are in the right position.

      “For example, if James goes and Naby goes also, there’s no place for me to go also so I have to stay. If one of those two stays then I can go. But I enjoy playing in that position, it’s going quite well.”


      Klopp has a wealth of options across all areas of the pitch available to him this season, and Wijnaldum senses a healthy competition for places every day at Melwood.

      He stated: “Yes, I think [the competition is there] especially at the start of the season because everyone wants to play, everyone is fit and fresh so everyone is fighting for their place and I think that’s a good thing.

      “It’s a thing that suits Liverpool. Liverpool is a big club and if you go to the other big clubs like City, Chelsea and Manchester United, you also see that they have for one position a few players. It’s good for the competition because you keep each other sharp and you have to do well, otherwise you are going to lose your place.”


      https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/313248-wijnaldum-klopp-talks-liverpool-fc
      PurpleMonkey
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #554: Aug 31, 2018 05:09:07 pm
      Gini Wijnaldum's tactical gymnastics gifts JĂźrgen Klopp solutions at Liverpool

      In early 2017, a few players were in the canteen at Melwood discussing which team-mate they felt had the makings of a future manager

      Gini Wijnaldum was the overwhelming response on account of his tactical intelligence, his ability to shape-shift according to what JĂźrgen Klopp requested, and the analytical way in which he could dissect a display.

      By the end of that year, the Netherlands international - bought as a playmaker from Newcastle United, but operating as a defensively diligent left midfielder for the Reds - would line up in a back three during a 5-1 victory at Brighton.

      The positional switch at the Amex materialised from an injury crisis and the shape - Wijnaldum to the left of Dejan Lovren with Emre Can as the right centre-back - was tested in the final 20 minutes of training on the eve of the encounter.

      The 27-year-old only knew he would be starting in defence when Klopp announced the XI on matchday, yet he adjusted and executed in a commanding victory.

      “Just throw him in goal next,” laughed the same group that touted Wijnaldum as a future face in the dugout. “Gini, where can’t you play?”

      With Wijnaldum now excelling at the base of Liverpool’s midfield this season, that’s a great question.

      The No.6 role is the seventh he has undertaken since his days at Sparta Rotterdam’s academy.

      Gini started off as a centre-half before his eighth birthday, before functioning as a right full-back at Under-11/12 level.

      The first person to view Wijnaldum as a midfielder was coach Cyril Helstone, and until he moved on and made his debut in the first team at Feyenoord, that is where the Schiemond native was stationed.

      In his third season at De Kuip, the club’s new manager Gertjan Verbeek swapped Gini from the centre of the pitch to the right wing, largely due to his dribbling wizardry.

      “I performed well there so they didn’t want to move me out, but in my mind, I always believed I was better in midfield,” Wijnaldum previously explained.

      “I was just happy to be playing, though, because I was young. When you’re still developing, getting games is so important. I learnt a lot playing on the wing and now I understand what the guys in those positions want from me.

      “But when I got older, I knew I wanted to be a midfielder. I’ve had to have discussions with my agent, managers, directors, chief executives to explain that I am a midfielder, especially at Feyenoord.”

      In his final campaign there before joining PSV, Wijnaldum would morph into a No.10 under the guidance of Mario Been - a duty he relished and was incredibly effective carrying out, even at Newcastle.

      He was deployed as a second striker at times too, and could not have envisioned being turned into one of the No.8s in a three-man midfield following his ÂŁ25 million transfer from Tyneside to Anfield.

      The adaptation from goalscorer and creator to being Liverpool’s golden thread - their link man - suited Wijnaldum more than anyone who hasn’t worked with him could have predicted.

      “A lot of people see me differently, a lot didn’t think I could play the way I am,” he admitted.

      “They thought I was just an attack-minded player, the dribbler or the goalscorer without the discipline to defend and check on the movements of my team-mates.

      “I think I’ve surprised many people because I’m showing I can still make the runs and get goals, but I’m regaining balls, keeping the rhythm in the passing, covering for those around me and getting assists - they’re seeing the complete version of me.”

      Wijnaldum was instrumental during his first season at Liverpool - scoring goals against Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and the vital opener against Middlesbrough to finish in the Champions League places on the final day of the campaign - but 2017-18 was more subdued.

      Klopp held talks with the Dutchman imploring him to be more involved in matches, and with the introduction of Naby Keita and Fabinho to the squad this summer, it was understandable that many wrote Wijnaldum out of the starting XI.

      However, the Reds boss has selected him as the ‘quarterback’ in all three games so far, entrusting Gini with the responsibility of ensuring the team have a solid foundation both defensively and offensively.

      Wijnaldum misplaced just one of his 76 passes in the 1-0 win over Brighton and his lowest passing accuracy this season has been 91% at Crystal Palace, where he won 63% of his duels and made three tackles.

      In the 4-0 victory over West Ham on the opening Premier League weekend, he had three shots as well as regaining possession eight times.

      The variety and awareness in his game has been appreciated by the manager. “Gini can switch from one mindset to the other and that is pretty good for us,” Klopp said.

      “He’s a good footballer, but it is important that you have the kind of mindset that you can cool yourself down in different situations.”

      Wijnaldum has allowed Liverpool to bed Fabinho in slowly and not rush Jordan Henderson back into the XI following his World Cup exertions. Moreover, he carries out No.6 responsibilities in contrast to both, giving the manager more flexibility in that area.

      “The connection point for everything,” who is closing in on a century of appearances for the Anfield side, has also guided new-boy Keita through games, while Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk have saluted his “football brain.”

      Ironically, Wijnaldum had initially wanted to be a gymnast as a child. His blend of balance, flexibility, strength, agility, endurance and co-ordination is now cherished by Klopp.

      When rotation becomes a necessity, the German will count his pliability as a massive advantage; he can rely on Gini to be a controller, the knitter, a ball carrier or an amalgamation of all those things.

      Just so long as he never has to “throw him in goal next.”

      https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/gini-wijnaldums-tactical-gymnastics-gifts-JĂźrgen-klopp-solutions-at-liverpool-197379

      Quote from: Klopp
      “He’s a good footballer, but it is important that you have the kind of mindset that you can cool yourself down in different situations.”

      Interesting, maybe this is partly the reason why Wijnaldum has been more reserved in his distribution? But then again, we did play 2 very strong disciplined defensive teams in Brighton and CP. He was more than fine vs West Ham who were more open.
      « Last Edit: Aug 31, 2018 05:28:38 pm by PurpleMonkey »
      PurpleMonkey
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #555: Sep 05, 2018 06:24:54 pm
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf6ZZ9HrLJ4

      I can see Wijnaldum hit World class levels this season.
      PurpleMonkey
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #556: Sep 14, 2018 05:44:53 pm
      Pursuing trophies, expectations and why Liverpool are even stronger than last season



      It is not so much a question to Gini Wijnaldum as an ultimatum. One issued to his manager and Liverpool team mates since the start of the season.

      “You have to win a trophy now, don’t you?”

      The Dutch midfielder replies with a polite hint of incredulity.

      “You think we do not know it, or think it?” he says.

      “No-one has to tell us what we have to do. We play for Liverpool. It is always our intention to win. All the players here want to compete at the top and win. The manager does not have to say to us, ‘we want to win a trophy’. We do not play for Liverpool not to win. With respect, we are not playing for a team that is fighting relegation thinking it is impossible. We know what we can do.

      “We were so close already. We have done everything to win something but the fact is it is not so easy. There are a lot of good teams who also want to win the same trophies.”


      It is a matter of tone – one to which Saturday’s opponents Tottenham Hotspur can relate. There is much to admire about Liverpool and Spurs’ efforts to satisfy lofty ambitions, so curmudgeonly hints at unspecified dire consequences if trophy stipulations are not met feel out of place.



      “The reason everyone is saying it this year is because of the signings,” says Wijnaldum.

      “The expectation from outside is much bigger than previous years because we spent some money. We lost (Philippe) Coutinho, but signed three or four top players. If Chelsea did this, or Arsenal, I am sure it would be the same, people saying they must win. It is understandable people see this at Liverpool and have their opinion.

      “But it is also true we have been in a process. In the years before this no-one really spoke of us in this way. Now we have been really good in the Champions League so we tasted success a bit.

      “You could see the manager and players were full of energy when they came back from vacation – even those who were at the World Cup. After reaching the final we want more.

      “Maybe what is expected is too much. We were not really in a competition with Man City in the Premier League last season. When you are 25 points behind, it is not competing.

      “But all I can tell you as a player is I am happy when a player like Virgil (Van Dijk) signs and walks into the dressing room because then you think, ‘yeah, we can really achieve something with this team’.

      “We are doing everything we can. I can only say we hope to do it. There is no point going through this season saying, ‘come on, come on, we have to win something, we have to win something’. We need to do the right things to get us into that position, to give us that chance. Looking too far ahead is a mistake.”




      Whether it is Van Dijk’s presence at centre-half, or underrated qualities of a more pragmatic midfield trio since Coutinho’s departure, Wijnaldum senses greater maturity in the pursuit.

      “Last season, there were occasions when – I don’t really want to use the word panicking – but the confidence could slide away,” he says.

      “We had problems. There were times in a game where we were 1-0 up and the feeling was the opposition might score. Now it feels like if we are 1-0 the opposition has a big problem. The right phrase is ‘game management’.

      “Of course, Virgil has made a big difference. Since he came in we concede fewer goals. But we have changed a lot as a team. The more you are together as a team, the better you become. We counter-press better now, and you feel the improvement when you train. No-one can do it alone.

      “In the moments when we are not playing well, we are not conceding many chances. If you look at a game like Crystal Palace away, we had not many chances before our penalty. It was difficult but we were calm and defended well.”


      This is a quality Wijnaldum has admired in others.

      “I saw some games for City last year where I thought they were not at their best, but they still won,” he says.

      “Chelsea had that the year before. That is what we need. That is where the extra five or ten per cent comes from, especially when you are playing around 50 games in all competitions. No team can play really good in 50 games. During the season you will not play that well all the time. You will not create a lot of chances in every game, but if you stop the opponent getting chances you will win more.

      “At Leicester, it was not that good. It would be difficult to win if we do not improve against Spurs. They will be good, for sure.”


      The trendy, slightly clichĂŠd suggestion is the games at Leicester, Palace and even home to Brighton would have been drawn or even lost not too long ago. The reality is less persuasive. Liverpool won the same games last season.

      Of the five league losses in 2017/18, four were away against the rest of the top five. That means the outcome at Wembley will be a clearer measure of improvement. This did not just lose away at Spurs. They were heavily beaten 4-1.

      “Not a good day,” says Wijnaldum, who hurt his knee on the eve of that match and watched from the stands.

      “I like Tottenham as team - Dembele, Eriksen, Son, Alli. I could name them all. We are in a similar situation, trying to chase the team at the top.”

      The likeness can be extended. While Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Ben Davies were watched by Liverpool, Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane were open to the idea of joining Mauricio Pochettino before the Merseyside club moved in.

      “I met Pochettino when I left Newcastle. I just felt Liverpool wanted to come to an agreement quickly,”recalls the midfielder.

      “Tottenham have shown over the years the quality of their players and manager.

      “I see Tottenham as a team like us, wanting to play good football. They are always looking for solutions in the game and play as we do. That’s why people say this is a ‘big game’. In the situation we are in it, they say it makes it bigger.

      “I don’t look it at it like that. Last year, we did not win any of these away games against the top six. The year before we did not lose one against the rest of the top six. Both times we finished fourth. Obviously we want to change it this season, but we cannot say one game is more important. We need to be consistent against everyone.”


      Liverpool’s schedule will be demanding but revealing as they play Spurs, PSG, Chelsea (twice), Napoli and Manchester City before the next international break. It is month when every positive result and performance will be regarded a ‘statement’.

      “It would help to win, but the manager has been keeping our feet on the ground since the start of the season,” said Wijnaldum. “Everyone is excited about Liverpool, but whatever happens he will not let us fly yet. The season is long.”

      https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/09/14/gini-wijnaldum-interview-pursuing-trophies-expectations-liverpool/

      LondonRed83
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #557: Sep 18, 2018 10:19:10 pm
      He’s hit top form, superb player.
      shabbadoo
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #558: Sep 18, 2018 10:24:09 pm
      Gini let out the bottle..

      F***ing love him..
      Magillionare
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #559: Sep 18, 2018 10:34:30 pm
      He’s hit top form, superb player.

      Unreal showing tonight to add to 5 other excellent performances, arrival of Keita has kicked him on even more
      Diego LFC
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #560: Sep 18, 2018 10:37:41 pm
      On top of being a fine footballer he's such a nice smile. I think I'm in love.
      waltonl4
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #561: Sep 18, 2018 10:39:54 pm
      I want a lot more from him next season because I think he is capable of doing far more the lad is just brilliant but needs to show more.


      He must have read my post he has been epic this season his energy is just nuts. The new signings are going to really have to earn the shirt
      HScRed1
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #562: Sep 18, 2018 10:44:55 pm
      I have accused him in the past of not affecting games, he is certainly putting that right this season.
      PurpleMonkey
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #563: Sep 18, 2018 10:57:29 pm
      He is a big game player, rarely have I seen him shy away in our important matches.
      AussieRed
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #564: Sep 19, 2018 01:40:38 am
      Doesn't stop running. Great stuff again Gini.
      FL Red
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #565: Sep 19, 2018 12:13:37 pm
      It's almost like Klopp knows what he's doing when he buys players and I have no clue....weird.

      Keep it up Gini!!
      Gill95
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #566: Sep 29, 2018 08:02:31 pm
      Excellent stuff. What a wonderful player he has become this season.
      AZPatriot
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #567: Sep 29, 2018 08:15:09 pm
      Excellent stuff. What a wonderful player he has become this season.

      Guy has a big arse and knows how to use it.
      Gill95
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #568: Sep 29, 2018 08:18:55 pm
      Guy has a big arse and knows how to use it.

      It was an away game too. I was impressed with how he was almost impossible to dis possess in this game. Absolute joy to watch.
      FATKOPITE10
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #569: Sep 29, 2018 08:24:04 pm
      Totally seems to have reinvented himself from an attacking midfielder who tended to go missing to arguably our first choice midfielder,  well in gini lad !
      Arab Scouse
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #570: Sep 29, 2018 08:37:54 pm
      better than the other 2 and thrives when he plays along side Keita.

      one of his best games
      HScRed1
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #571: Sep 29, 2018 08:39:52 pm
      better than the other 2 and thrives when he plays along side Keita.

      one of his best games

      Agree he was very good, love the way he shields the ball virtually impossible to get it off him.
      LondonRed83
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #572: Sep 29, 2018 09:11:37 pm
      Agree he was very good, love the way he shields the ball virtually impossible to get it off him.

      He was so good!!! I can’t stress how good he is.

      Undroppable at the moment
      PurpleMonkey
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #573: Sep 29, 2018 09:15:44 pm
      He was so good!!! I can’t stress how good he is.

      Undroppable at the moment

      He, along with Firmino are probably our most intelligent tactical players.
      skolRED
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      Re: Georginio Wijnaldum Player Thread
      Reply #574: Sep 30, 2018 03:05:41 am
      Impressive.

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