In a recent report, The Telegraph (subscription required) has stated that Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum wants to extend his stay at Anfield amid interest from Barcelona this summer. The Dutch midfielder is hoping for a quick resolution in talks with the Merseyside club’s board, but there are some disagreements over the length of his new contract as Barca prepare to offer him a three-year deal with an option to extend it for one more season (via The Telegraph).
Wijnaldum’s Brilliant Career At Merseyside In Recent Years
The 29-year-old has done remarkably well to establish himself as one of the top performers in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield over the past couple of seasons. Wijnaldum managed to appear in 47 matches for the Reds in the previous campaign, banging in six goals in the process across all fronts.
The Rotterdam-born midfield ace has made a significant impact at the heart of the Liverpool midfield after averaging 1.0 tackles, 0.5 interceptions, 0.8 clearances, 1.0 shots, 0.6 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per game in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League last season. The 29-year-old excels at keeping possession moving without giving away the ball at the centre of the park as evident from his pass success rate of 90.8% in league football (stats via whoscored).
The 61-time Netherlands international managed to win the Champions League and the Premier League with the Reds in back to back seasons. Therefore, there is no reason for Wijnaldum to force a move away from Anfield, where he has become such a valuable member of Klopp’s squad.
What Does The Dutch Midfielder Offer On The Field?
The ex-Newcastle United player knows how to retain possession in the middle of the pitch and tends to put in an energetic shift by pressing the opposition high up the field. He is an excellent passer of the ball but needs to orchestrate more clear-cut chances for his teammates to score in the final third. The Dutch sensation has done well to contribute by netting his fair share of goals from midfield and has successfully formed a productive partnership with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho over the past 18 months.
Why The Reds Need To Keep Hold Of Wijnaldum Beyond This Summer
Wijnaldum has already proven his worth at Anfield, so Klopp does not need to fix what ain’t broken as far as his midfield department is concerned. At 29, the Netherlands international has still got a few years left in his locker to perform at his best which Liverpool should look to benefit from in the coming seasons.
Even if Wijnaldum fails to agree on a new deal with the Reds, Klopp should consider keeping him for at least another season before allowing him to leave for free next summer. The potential addition of Thiago Alcantara should not be to replace Wijnaldum but to provide more competition for him in the race to earn a regular place in Klopp’s starting XI in the upcoming campaign.
