Gini Wijnaldum has been jaw-droppingly good for the Netherlands over the past 12 months.
He’s scored five goals and registered three assists for Ronald Koeman’s much-improved Dutch, seemingly thriving in an advanced midfield role which allows him more freedom than Liverpool do.
Last night, Gini scored against Estonia in Netherlands’ 4-0 win, following on from his effort v Germany last week.
At Liverpool, Gini’s role is one that requires tactical discipline and hard work. Jurgen Klopp demands he sits in when Andy Robertson bombs forward, which is very often, instead of getting into the box.
He knits play together, hardly ever loses possession and makes space for others with extremely clever movement.
Some fans are frustrated we don’t see the goalscoring Gini quite so often at Liverpool, but Klopp already has the world’s best front-three ahead of him and two brilliant, overlapping fullbacks – so throwing Wijnaldum into the box as well would be an unnecessary risk.
He undoubtedly has the ability to play that role when required though, as he displayed v Barcelona last season and on multiple occasions with his country.
I don’t think a Liverpool player has fascinated me more than Gini Wijnaldum.
— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) September 9, 2019
Wijnaldum and Virgil van Dijk both injury free after two games during the international break. Wijnaldum with a goal in each game and also a crucial assist in the first one.
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) September 9, 2019
Wijnaldum scored again for Netherlands. Gini Wijnaldum on international break becomes what Man United fans think Pogba is.#LFC #MUFC pic.twitter.com/5RqEDyWr6n
— B.O.B (@BobKiing) September 10, 2019
Liverpool should really sign Holland's gini wijnaldum
— Jared Ogle (@jayz20_lfc) September 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/Bobby_Luan1/status/1171318893597429762
Still no idea why Wijnaldum hasn't been offered a new contract yet. Playing the best football of his career #LFC
— Ben Rogers (@eviemae239) September 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/passandmoveftbl/status/1171291977603674112
Georginio Wijnaldum has scored 5️⃣goals and recorded 2️⃣ assists in his last ten international matches for Netherlands. #LFC
— Liam Bekker (@LiamBekker) September 10, 2019