When Liverpool signed Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle for £25m, Liverpool fans were a bit divided. Despite scoring four goals in one game against Norwich in October 2015, Liverpool fans were encouraged but not convinced.
Since his arrival, Gini has become a fan favourite. His industriousness and heart on the sleeve attitude has formed a rapport with the Kop. If Wijnaldum’s international form is anything to go by, this could be the Dutchman’s best season in a Liverpool shirt.
The former Newcastle man has shown a staggering adaptability since working under Jürgen Klopp. The player arrived as a high sitting attacking midfielder. The Dutch midfielder has become a workhorse: he breaks down attacks, holds up the ball, harries opponents. He has become the exactly the type of player the Kop loves.
Although the smiley box-to-box player has been a key man in big games, he does have a tendency to go missing at times. It is this inconsistency that has prevented him from – like nearly all of Liverpool’s midfield – cementing a claim for a permanent position in the middle.
The international break has seen Wijnaldum score 2 in 2 for the Netherlands. The first goal coming in a world beating performance as the Dutch won 4-2 in Germany. Last night he headed in late on in a 4-0 win at Estonia.
If his international form is anything to go by then we could be about to witness Wijnaldum’s best season in a Liverpool shirt. The midfielder has already proven he can be a goalscorer for the Reds – netting 2 in the miraculous comeback against Barcelona. If Klopp gives him the freedom to get further forward – he looks set to capitalise.
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