I've detected a bit of early season whining about Wijnaldum, specifically about his value to the team and the position he is playing.
It might be very early to take a definitive view, but sharing opinions is fine. There's been lots of complaints about where he's playing - and if that is too deep, or curtailing his natural instincts and a game more suited to a more advanced role - but even if his role in the team is down to Can's unavailability, Klopp targeted the player early on, and paid £25m for him.
Why?
I'm always happy to see more goals added to the squad, so I have always kept an eye on him at Newcastle, given a few posters had positive things to say about him in Eredivisie. And as a signing, again, I wasn't against it, although he wasn't as exciting as Mane obviously was.
And perhaps that direct comparison is part of the problem: one has electrified the fans and started incredibly well. And Wijanldum.....hasn't really. Nothing terrible. Nothing amazing. He's just...there.
And this is part of the issue maybe. He does seem to me to be the sort of player who doesn't contribute an awful lot if he doesn't score. There isn't ever going to be a midfielder like Alonso or Gerrard in there, who can contribute hugely without actually scoring or assisting. (Although obviously Gerrard did that too).
He was captain at a young age for PSV, but there wasn't much of that leadership on evidence as Newcastle capitulated last season. In some ways he was fortunate to have a club like Liverpool so interested. He scored a lot of goals from midfield, but four came against one side, and another two in the final game of the season, when they were already doomed. He was criticised for "going missing" for entire games
And what's his best position? He played LM at times last season. The player himself wants to play in an advanced AM position, a number 10. Of which we have several already. And the likes of Lallana and Firmino work far harder and do more defensive work than Wijanldum has ever been known for.
"If you want to use my qualities the best, then I must play in the midfield in a position where I can make goals because that is a major quality of mine. I can make goals, and I can create chances.”
So is he worth a place in the team when his best (only?) attributes aren't exploited properly? Are Klopp's long-term plans for the player different? In CM we were crying out for more physicality, height, defensive instincts and a bit of hard bastard tackling edge. None of which he has.
So what's your view? Is he genuinely a decent, if luxury signing whose versatility will be a great option? Will he remodel his game and instincts to be a more reliable CM player? Is he going to surprise everyone? Or be another transfer dud? Where should he play?
It might be very early to take a definitive view, but sharing opinions is fine. There's been lots of complaints about where he's playing - and if that is too deep, or curtailing his natural instincts and a game more suited to a more advanced role - but even if his role in the team is down to Can's unavailability, Klopp targeted the player early on, and paid £25m for him.
Why?
I'm always happy to see more goals added to the squad, so I have always kept an eye on him at Newcastle, given a few posters had positive things to say about him in Eredivisie. And as a signing, again, I wasn't against it, although he wasn't as exciting as Mane obviously was.
And perhaps that direct comparison is part of the problem: one has electrified the fans and started incredibly well. And Wijanldum.....hasn't really. Nothing terrible. Nothing amazing. He's just...there.
And this is part of the issue maybe. He does seem to me to be the sort of player who doesn't contribute an awful lot if he doesn't score. There isn't ever going to be a midfielder like Alonso or Gerrard in there, who can contribute hugely without actually scoring or assisting. (Although obviously Gerrard did that too).
He was captain at a young age for PSV, but there wasn't much of that leadership on evidence as Newcastle capitulated last season. In some ways he was fortunate to have a club like Liverpool so interested. He scored a lot of goals from midfield, but four came against one side, and another two in the final game of the season, when they were already doomed. He was criticised for "going missing" for entire games
And what's his best position? He played LM at times last season. The player himself wants to play in an advanced AM position, a number 10. Of which we have several already. And the likes of Lallana and Firmino work far harder and do more defensive work than Wijanldum has ever been known for.
"If you want to use my qualities the best, then I must play in the midfield in a position where I can make goals because that is a major quality of mine. I can make goals, and I can create chances.”
So is he worth a place in the team when his best (only?) attributes aren't exploited properly? Are Klopp's long-term plans for the player different? In CM we were crying out for more physicality, height, defensive instincts and a bit of hard bastard tackling edge. None of which he has.
So what's your view? Is he genuinely a decent, if luxury signing whose versatility will be a great option? Will he remodel his game and instincts to be a more reliable CM player? Is he going to surprise everyone? Or be another transfer dud? Where should he play?
