Klopp happy with Wijnaldum’s solid start to the season

Georginio Wijnaldum has started the 2018/19 season in fine form after a string of solid displays have seen him keep captain Jordan Henderson and new signing Fabinho out of the starting XI.

Wijnaldum looked to be the player who would drop to the bench as Klopp bolstered his midfielder throughout the summer, but eye-catching performances against West Ham, Crystal Palace and Brighton have ensured that the Netherlands international has remained un-droppable in Liverpool’s campaign so far.

And Gini continued his impressive start to the season with a remarkable passing game against the Seagulls on Saturday evening.

Liverpool FC pointed out that statistics compiled by Opta data showed our Number 5 didn’t misplace a single pass until the 80th minute of the Brighton game, in which he was instrumental with his energetic pressing and bombing runs into the opposition box.

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool celebrates his goal with team mates during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Torino at Anfield on August 7, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

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Wijnaldum played 76 passes throughout the match with just under 99 per cent accuracy, over half of which came in the Brighton end of the pitch. Of the passes in Brighton territory, 100 per cent were accurate.

A particularly memorable moment occurred in the first half when Gini dinked the ball delightfully over an oncoming Brighton player before driving forward with it through the centre of the park. His confidence is high and his performances are reflecting it.

Wijnaldum took 93 touches of the ball, contested 12 duels, made three tackles, one interception and one block. He was also fouled more than anyone else on the pitch throughout the match (four times).

And manager Jurgen Klopp was quick to praise his performance.

“The situation was clear from the beginning,” Klopp said. “Hendo would not have a big break and Fabinho would need time to settle in, so it was always clear that Gini would be in the mix for that position. He can play both. He was brilliant in pre-season as the eight. He was good as the six but brilliant as the eight. That’s why we never had any doubts about that.

“They all have different characteristics in that role but if we don’t defend as a team neither Hendo, Fabinho or Gini can play the role very well because the space is just too big. It’s not possible. If we defend well, then it is all fine.

Gini is a good footballer, the other two are as well. It is only important that you have this kind of mindset that you can cool yourself down in different situations, that you don’t follow the ball or offer runs in behind when we have enough players to do that.

“We need a few reasonable persons on the pitch, if you want, and Gini can switch from one mindset to the other and that is pretty good for us.”

Liverpool fans will hope that the powerful midfielder can continue his impressive run of form when the Reds take on Leicester on Saturday.

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Source: anfieldhq.com