Georginio Wijnaldum has been good for Liverpool this season and has earned praise by Alan Shearer.
Liverpool has made a decent enough start to the 2016/17 Premier League, picking up a respectable 10 points from 5 games.
There has been an impressive mixture of teamwork and individual brilliance which has seen the Reds beat Arsenal, Leicester and Chelsea, scoring 10 goals in the process.
There was the ugly loss at Turf Moor but that has been written off as a game where Klopp made a few tactical errors and Liverpool simply failed to unlock a resolute Burnley defence.
One player who has been critical to Liverpool’s good start to the season is Gini Wijnaldum. The Dutchman has been deployed in a deeper midfield role than he’s used to and, despite the Burnley capitulation, he’s been solid if not impressive.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Against Chelsea, Wijnaldum was crucial to both reclaiming and retaining possession as his work ethic and neat ball work helped keep the midfield stable.
Given his tidy display against Chelsea, he has come in for some well-earned praise from Newcastle legend, Alan Shearer. Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer had this to say:
“The accusation about Wijnaldum last season at Newcastle was he didn’t really turn up for away games. But he turned up at Stamford Bridge for Liverpool last night. I thought he was absolutely superb.
“He stopped Chelsea playing in midfield, he read the game well, he was tough, he was strong and he led from the front.
“When they came under the cosh a little bit in the second half Liverpool he stood firm and it was a brilliant performance from him and from Liverpool.”
If I were Gini, I’d be quite pleased with myself to get praise from Alan Shearer. That being said, the former Newcastle and PSV Eindhoven midfielder is quite humble and wouldn’t get too carried away with praise from anyone.
Since signing this summer, Wijnaldum has been critical to all things good for Liverpool. He has picked up two assists and has praised what Jurgen Klopp is doing on Merseyside.
“This is a very talented squad with a great coach,” Wijnaldum told the Liverpool Echo. “I believe he is building something special here. I got that feeling when I first met with Jurgen Klopp.
“I knew this was the right club for me. I am happy to be a part of it. I feel blessed.
“Our gameplan is always to start on the front foot like that. To dominate our opponent. We try to do that, no matter who we are playing against. That’s the way we train and it’s what we’re good at.
“Of course I want to score. I’ve always scored through the years, no matter who I’ve played for. But I’m happy when I can do a good job for the team like against Chelsea.
“I’m learning game by game and I think I’ll continue to get better. I hope the goals will come soon.”
Great stuff from a player I expect will continue to impress for Liverpool.
Could you please take 60 seconds out of your day to vote for Rousing the Kop as the Best New Football Club and Michael Mongie as the Best Young Football Blogger. Simply click on the picture below to take you to the voting form!