Why Wijnaldum move makes sense

Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle United. The £25m fee may be steep, but it’s a deal that makes sense for Jurgen Klopp, argues Nick Wright.

Rafael Benitez’s opinion carries more weight than most on Merseyside, so Liverpool fans will be encouraged by his assessment of Georginio Wijnaldum last season. “He is so good, he can play everywhere and do well,” the former Reds boss said in March. “He is one of the players that a manager enjoys to coach.”

Unfortunately for Benitez, Wijnaldum was unable to prevent Newcastle’s slide into the Championship in the months that followed, but the Netherlands international emerged from a difficult campaign with his reputation intact. Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez was the only Premier League player to score more goals from midfield, and Liverpool weren’t alone in the hunt for his signature this summer.

His four-goal haul in a 6-2 thrashing of Norwich in October was a personal highlight, but perhaps his starring display in Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Liverpool in December was more significant. Wijnaldum’s diagonal shot bounced in off Martin Skrtel for the opener, and he added the second with a cool chip over Simon Mignolet after sprinting 60 yards to meet Moussa Sissoko’s through-ball in stoppage time.

A frustrated Jurgen Klopp had little appetite to dwell on the details in the immediate aftermath of the defeat, but Wijnaldum’s display evidently made a lasting impression. In hindsight, it’s obvious why. As well as producing the game’s decisive moments, the 25-year-old ran further (11.9km), made more sprints (71) and won …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com