Gini Wijnaldum was a big money summer signing for Liverpool, but his solid performances for us have gone mostly under the radar.
At Newcastle, he was a swashbuckling, attacking but inconsistent midfielder, but Jurgen Klopp has turned him into something very different.
For us, the Dutch international plays in a central midfield three, where his job is to provide balance and shape, rather than goals and assists.
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With Jordan Henderson holding and Adam Lallana given more licence to break forward, Wijnaldum is the player who most helps the transition from defence to attack.
Unlike last season with the relegated Magpies, Wijnaldum puts in 7/10 performances for us every week and believes that Liverpool can win the title this season.
“I have faith and confidence we can win the Premier League,” he told Sky Sports News HQ.
“The season is long so we can improve a lot and we must do everything. We must believe in it and then it is possible.
“Leicester won it last season so I think that was an eye-opener for a lot of teams in the Premier League.
“Since the beginning of the season we have been trying to play our own game, with counter-pressing, high pressing, and we are trying to play good football when we have the ball.
“From the beginning until now, it is only getting better. It’s not always the result we want – we have played a few draws and defeats, not against big opponents – but that is how it is in the Premier League. Anyone can beat anyone.”
Chelsea are nine points ahead of us at the moment, having won 11 games on the trot under Antonio Conte, who has the best defence in the top flight. We need a win at Goodison Park to keep touch with the Blues, and hope their superb run ends soon.