It wasn’t a win for Georginio Wijnaldum and his Netherlands teammates against Italy last night but it was a performance that Reds can take confidence from.
The Liverpool man looked as smooth as ever in midfield but could’t help his team avoid defeat to a well-oiled Italian side.
His natural tendency to play on the half turn is becoming more distinctive by the game and was in full flow on Tuesday evening. He demonstrated just how important he is when it comes to the transition from defence to attack, turning his marker on a number of occasions before switching the ball to widen the game up or going on a bursting run himself.
It was a sign of his current self-belief and how he is thriving on such qualities beginning to pay off on a regular basis. The intelligence to his approach, his awareness of what’s happening around him and his technical ability as a technician on the ball is beginning to work in unison with his athleticism in presenting him as a valuable asset in the middle of the park.
Following Adam Lallana’s injury setback, a slick performance from Wijnaldum was exactly what was required to reassure Reds that we have the players to help us cope.
Liverpool’s latest ‘big game player’ faces one of the most important fixtures of the season on Saturday as Everton come to Anfield looking for revenge after Sadio Mane’s injury time winner at Goodison Park in December.
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