Gary Neville has suggested that Liverpool could struggle next season without PSG-bound Gini Wijnaldum.
Following failed contract talks, the Dutchman ran down his contract, leaving Jurgen Klopp’s men with the unenviable task of finding a suitable replacement for the Premier League-winner.
“Unsung hero. Liverpool have got so many great players to talk about, obviously the great players Liverpool have,” the former Red Devil told ITV (via HITC).
“He very rarely gets a mention.
“I think he will be missed badly next season. Very difficult to replace him.”
A number of targets have been linked with filling the former No.5’s shoes at Anfield, including Premier League stars Yves Bissouma and Youri Tielemans, with the club reportedly showing a great deal of interest in the Bundesliga’s Florian Neuhaus.
READ MORE: Journalist in contact with Neuhaus issues update on likeliness of Liverpool switch
Fulfilling an arguably more subtle role than the likes of Thiago Alcantara or Fabinho, the 30-year-old’s value to the side has been difficult for some to observe.
One of his best attributes, however, the loss of which will be instantly felt next term – should we fail to find a suitable replacement – is the player’s durability.
Having missed less than 6% of our total league fixtures since making the switch from Newcastle United, our remaining options beyond our first-choice midfield three (barring Curtis Jones) don’t instill a great deal of confidence due to their ongoing injury concerns.
If we don’t invest in a new midfielder this summer, there’s a very real possibility that Neville’s prediction could come true, though we at the EOTK would be surprised if the club didn’t address a clear gap in the squad.
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