Emre Can nails it with assessment of Liverpool’s ‘link man’

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Georginio Wijnaldum is turning out to be one inspired summer signing.

The Dutchman has been consistently vital to how Jurgen Klopp’s side functions for a number of weeks now, posing as the man primarily responsible for increasing the speed of that all-important transition from defence to attack.

He contributes in every area of the game and has undoubtedly justified the £25 million that was paid to bring him to Anfield last year.

Emre Can has praised his midfield partner, hailing his value to the team and the underappreciated defensive work he carries out.

“He’s a very, very important player for us, because he is the link man,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.

“He is doing it very well. He’s strong as well, a very strong guy. He can play, he is a very good footballer, but defensively he is working very well [too].”

“He has done brilliantly for us so far this season. He has played very well. He is not ‘eye-catching’ sometimes but he is doing the dirty work for us. He is a very important player.”

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Five goals and six assists so far isn’t a bad return and perhaps doesn’t do justice to how important he has been. He has not only been a midfield engine capable of initiating attacks but also one capable of retrieving the ball and breaking up opposition moves.

The natural tendency to work on the half turn has been evident all season long and a representation of his purpose as Liverpool’s bridge between both sides of the game. He has ensured on a number of occasions that the likes of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane have had the opportunity to catch teams by surprise and spring attacks on them so quickly.

He is looking like more of a bargain by the week.

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