Liverpool star reveals tough Klopp change that has transformed his career Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed how he has become a more “all-round player” since joining Jurgen Klopp’s side. Wijnaldum is an unmissable part of Liverpool’s team under Klopp, having started all but one of the 29 Premier League games so far this season. On the international stage, Wijnaldum flourishes in an attacking role for the Netherlands and he scored eight goals and assisted three others in his side’s qualifying campaign for Euro 2020, which has now been moved to 2021. Indeed, Wijnaldum has shown a similar streak for Liverpool in times of need; the 29-year-old scored twice to help his side past Barcelona in the semi-finals of last season’s Champions League and netted against Atletico Madrid in this term’s last-16. Speaking to UEFA (via the Liverpool Echo), however, Wijnaldum has revealed how he has largely had to suppress his attacking instincts to fit into Klopp’s plans. “My development since I came to Liverpool has been good,” them midfielder said. “I have become more of an all-round player. “I was used to playing in a very attacking role and only in attack. Since the World Cup [in 2014] with [then Holland boss Louis] van Gaal, I have had a more controlling role in midfield and that went well. “After that, I didn’t play that role again, at PSV or Newcastle. When I spoke with Klopp, he saw me in a more defensive role, where I needed to be an all-rounder. “It’s not always easy as I am used to attacking, but it has helped in my development. I am a more complete player now than I was when I arrived.” Despite having to adapt to a role he was not previously used to, Wijnaldum insisted it has been an easy process with Klopp there for support. “The manager has had a big influence on me,” he said. “He has brought the club back to where it used to be and he brought his vision to the club, and I have to say his vision fits the club. “The players adore him, of course, because he cares about the players and he is a good coach, a coach who improves his players and he is a great person to work with. “We have also had a lot of personal conversations and he has become a really important person to me. “He knows a lot of things about me that other coaches don’t know. We have a really good player-coach relationship, as well as on a personal level. He is an important person to me in general.” In other news, Klopp has spoken about the importance of Roberto Firmino in his team by labelling the Brazilian a “connector”. Firmino remains an important cog in the Liverpool side, despite not tallying the numbers of goals scored by fellow attackers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. Read more… The post Liverpool star reveals tough Klopp change that has transformed his career appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed how he has become a more “all-round player” since joining Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Wijnaldum is an unmissable part of Liverpool’s team under Klopp, having started all but one of the 29 Premier League games so far this season.

On the international stage, Wijnaldum flourishes in an attacking role for the Netherlands and he scored eight goals and assisted three others in his side’s qualifying campaign for Euro 2020, which has now been moved to 2021.

Indeed, Wijnaldum has shown a similar streak for Liverpool in times of need; the 29-year-old scored twice to help his side past Barcelona in the semi-finals of last season’s Champions League and netted against Atletico Madrid in this term’s last-16.

Speaking to UEFA (via the Liverpool Echo), however, Wijnaldum has revealed how he has largely had to suppress his attacking instincts to fit into Klopp’s plans.

“My development since I came to Liverpool has been good,” them midfielder said. “I have become more of an all-round player.

“I was used to playing in a very attacking role and only in attack. Since the World Cup [in 2014] with [then Holland boss Louis] van Gaal, I have had a more controlling role in midfield and that went well.

“After that, I didn’t play that role again, at PSV or Newcastle. When I spoke with Klopp, he saw me in a more defensive role, where I needed to be an all-rounder.

“It’s not always easy as I am used to attacking, but it has helped in my development. I am a more complete player now than I was when I arrived.”

Despite having to adapt to a role he was not previously used to, Wijnaldum insisted it has been an easy process with Klopp there for support.

 

 

“The manager has had a big influence on me,” he said. “He has brought the club back to where it used to be and he brought his vision to the club, and I have to say his vision fits the club.

“The players adore him, of course, because he cares about the players and he is a good coach, a coach who improves his players and he is a great person to work with.

“We have also had a lot of personal conversations and he has become a really important person to me.

“He knows a lot of things about me that other coaches don’t know. We have a really good player-coach relationship, as well as on a personal level. He is an important person to me in general.”

In other news, Klopp has spoken about the importance of Roberto Firmino in his team by labelling the Brazilian a “connector”.

Firmino remains an important cog in the Liverpool side, despite not tallying the numbers of goals scored by fellow attackers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Read more…

The post Liverpool star reveals tough Klopp change that has transformed his career appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Jonny Whitfield