Going into the season the likeable Dutchman seemed to be one of those most under threat by the arrivals of Fabinho and Naby Keita, yet he was our best midfielder in the opening months. By some distance.
His start to the season was fantastic. He had a little dip in the middle (actually 'dip' might be overstating it to be fair) but he came back strong again and he was almost superhuman in that Barcelona game.
He’s such a clever, versatile footballer. He's been brilliant whenever he has had to play as a number six and this time last year that was a position I thought he might settle down into. Then we bought Fabinho, and the impact made by the Brazilian in the second part of the season means we're unlikely to see Wijnaldum there much in the future. He'll probably be the one to fill in for Fabinho now though, with Henderson finally released from those shackles and allowed to run free again.
The thing Klopp seems to love most about Wijnaldum is that he’s so tactically aware he can be deployed virtually anywhere and will carry out his manager’s instructions to the letter. He was even asked to fill in for Bobby in the Nou Camp, a move that surprised everyone, including Wijnaldum himself.
In some ways Gini is a lot like Milner (and even Hendo, to a degree). On paper you look at all the players vying for those midfield positions and think “he’s not going to get too much playing time”. Then at the end of the season you look and he’s got 35 starts or something. Managers love players like them a lot more than the internet does.
There’s some talk that we might sign a more creative midfielder to compliment what we already have. If that happens and you asked the fans what their strongest line up would be, loads would go for Fabinho, Keita and the new signing. Gini, Hendo and Milner would be overlooked by many. Not by Klopp though.
Ironically I think Klopp’s trust in Wijnaldum tactically plays a part in Gini being somewhat under-rated. You could say he’s a modern day Ronnie Whelan in that respect. Often Gini does the water carrier’s role because that’s what Klopp needs him to do. He’s so much more than that though, when he’s given licence to be.
I used to get a little frustrated with Gini because there would be games when he’d be really quiet and not get forward at all. Then the next week I’d see him making runs into the box and causing havoc and I’d think ‘why can’t he do that more often?’
Now I realise it’s because he’s either doing what he’s told, or what he himself has decided is required to most help the team. H'e just smarter than the average bear. Look at the goal he scored away at Cardiff, when he identified how they were defending set-pieces and then drew up a corner routine at half time that saw him smash one in completely unmarked.
If he’s got the freedom to make those runs, or if he’s determined that the situation requires it, then he will do it all day, but if he’s been told (or decided himself) that he needs to sit in and keep the shape, then that’s exactly what he’ll do. There's no ego about him at all, he's just all about the team.
I feel as though he should be let off the leash more often though as he could easily be a 12 goal a season midfield player if he had licence to get in the box more. When he does it, he’s great. When he doesn’t, he’s extremely steady and dependable.
The Barcelona game is the most obvious example of him getting in the box and making the difference, but there was also the game at home to Bournemouth when he kept running behind the forwards and scored a brilliant goal doing just that.
He’s just a terrific all around player. He’s so good in possession and is almost impossible to dispossess, which is why he’s always excelled on the infrequent occasions he’s had to play as the six. He’s strong, uses his body well and is an under-rated dribbler. That little bit of skill he did to leave three Barca players for dead at Anfield will live long in the memory.
So all in all, another really good season from Gini. He’s a great player to have around and a big part of everything we’ve achieved over the last couple of years. I imagine he’s probably one of the most liked players in the dressing room. Maybe even the most liked by everyone, as he’s just such a lovely, friendly fella.
He’s also the owner of arguably the most beautiful face in football, and he unquestionably has the best smile.
Rating 8/10.
His best season for us so far. Very consistent. Capable of even more, but that depends on how Klopp uses him.
Best Moment:
The second leg against Barca. The stuff of legends.
Worst Moment:
Nope, I got nuthin’.
The Future?
He doesn’t have a new contract yet. That should be one of the first things addressed this summer.
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