During his time a the club, he has played 199 games, scored 19 goals, and won the Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup – and it is only right that on his birthday we address the elephant in the room over his new contract.
I am of course talking about midfield general Gini Wijnaldum.
Since joining the club in 2016 for £25 million from Newcastle United, the Dutchman has become one of the most important players in Jurgen Klopp’s squad. Out of a possible 160 Premier League games in the years he has been with us, Wijnaldum has featured in 149, becoming one of Klopp’s go-to men during his time as manager of the club.
I think he has been one of the best midfielders in the league during this time, mainly due to his work rate on and off the ball and his ball retention that has aided the club’s style of play for some time now, with the Dutchman so calm in possession.
Who is our best midfielder?
Gini Wijnaldum
Thiago
Fabinho
Jordan Henderson
There is no doubt that he has been an important player for us in recent years and if I was Klopp right now, I’d be doing everything in my power to tie him down on a new deal before his contract runs out at the end of the season. Wijnaldum is currently valued at £36 million according to Transfermarkt, but if his contract runs out or the Reds fail to agree on a new deal, he could easily leave for a cut-price, or even worse on a free transfer.
There has been interest from Barcelona over recent months with new both Ronald Koeman keen to bring the midfielder over to the Catalan club after managing him with the Dutch national team – but Liverpool can’t allow this to happen.
What are your thoughts Reds, should Liverpool keep hold of Wijnaldum or let him leave? Let us know in the comments below!