‘Sensational’ Liverpool duo have six months to replace Gini Wijnaldum

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Two Liverpool teenagers have just six months to prove they can replace Gini Wijnaldum. The Dutchman looks set to leave, according to reports.

The Athletic claims that it would take a ‘major change of heart’ to stop Gini Wijnaldum leaving the club. His contract expires at the end of the season, of course, and it appears he won’t renew.

It would bring an end to a five-year spell at the club after arriving for £25m in 2016. It’s safe to say that deal has been an overwhelming success.

Wijnaldum has gone on to become a key part of the Liverpool team, playing 200 games now. But the question is, how do you replace Wijnaldum next season?

The answer may already be at the club.

Prospects

Jake Cain and Leighton Clarkson are on the brink of the first-team, it seems. Jurgen Klopp recently labelled them as ‘sensational’ after training, while both have made the bench recently.

Will either be in position to replace Wijnaldum for next season? Of course not. They’re hugely inexperienced and far below his level right now. But that doesn’t mean they couldn’t take his squad place.

Curtis Jones is the key in that regard. He was in their position a year ago but has rapidly risen to become a huge prospect.

He, then, could be the one to step up to the first-team at the end of the season. Jones could take over from Wijnaldum and play with far more regularity.

That would still leave Wijnaldum’s spot in the squad open, however, and that’s where Cain and Clarkson have their chance.

If either can impress enough, we know Klopp will give them a spot as he gave one to Jones. They’re also in the advantageous position of not being ‘necessary’.

That is, Liverpool have elite senior midfielders at the club and can therefore afford to have youngsters in squad roles. It would be one thing if they were desperate for a first-team midfielder but they’re not.

Liverpool could benefit from it, in fact. It would allow them to focus their funds in attack and defence – areas that need new players far more as they’re either lacking or ageing.

Cain and Clarkson have six months, then. If they can impress in that time, there’s no reason one of them can’t take Wijnaldum’s space in the squad.