Wijnaldum reveals what Klopp demanded of him this season
Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed that Jurgen Klopp has demanded he ‘make the next step’ in his development.
The 27-year-old has been installed into the midfield for the Reds first two Premier League fixtures, allowing Naby Keita and James Milner to get further forward as they contributed to Liverpool to victories thus far.
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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) *** Local Caption *** Georginio Wijnaldum
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Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, he said: “He said that I have to be more involved in games [this season], and that there was too many times that I was not involved and that it was easier to play a bad game [because of that],” Wijnaldum told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I was busy with that and last season he was really busy with the No.6 position while my head was in the No.8 position!
“But he said that’s also the next step, that you can play in more positions than only one because you have the qualities to play there and you can help the team to do better.
“I speak a lot with him about it and he makes me also aware of what I have to do to become a better player or to make the next step.”
“It’s always good if the manager trusts you and it’s always good if he tries to help you to become a better player, or in this case to make the next step. I’m always happy with that,” Wijnaldum said.
“It’s not always easy because everyone knows what kind of manager Jürgen is: he always wants to see 100 per cent, he doesn’t want players to give 80 per cent, even in training.
“So sometimes it’s difficult because every day you have to give everything to become a better player. It’s not always easy but I think it’s good for the players because he wants to help you get better.”
The former Newcastle playmaker admitted that playing a deeper role has taken some getting used to but he asserted that he has enjoyed playing the role.
It went good. You can always do better but I think it’s a good start,” he said.
“I think it went well [playing in a three with Keita and Milner]. It’s more difficult than it looks because sometimes on the pitch I also want to run forward and to help the attack as well and even score a goal, but when you’re playing in that position it’s not always possible so you have to keep the balance between the attackers and the two No.8s and the defence.
“That makes it hard because I am from origin a player who wants to run forward and try to go with the attacks, but now you have to look more around yourself, look if the players are in the right position.
“For example, if James goes and Naby goes also, there’s no place for me to go also so I have to stay. If one of those two stays then I can go. But I enjoy playing in that position, it’s going quite well.”
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Source: anfieldhq.com
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