“We have evolved a lot,” Wijnaldum said, according to Liverpoolfc.com. “You can see it not only with the results but also with the way we were playing. We grew during the season.

“We started really well and we managed to win difficult games where in the past it was quite difficult and if we didn’t play really well we didn’t win the games that were really tough.

“But this season we managed to win those games. We learned a lot. Everyone is a better player than they were before.”

On the impact made by fellow Netherlands player Virgil van Dijk, Wijnaldum added: “What has impressed me the most with Virgil is that he’s consistent, he barely makes a mistake.

“He developed really well at Celtic and Southampton and Liverpool, he developed a lot.

“What also impressed me is that other players play better when he plays; the defenders next to him defend better, the players in front of him play better because when you play and you know he’s behind you, you have a safe feeling.”