Liverpool have announced the signing of midfielder Giorgino Wijnaldum from Newcastle. The Dutch international cost £23m with a further £2m in add-ons and has signed a five-year contract with the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp is predicting Giorgino Wijnaldum will become a huge part of Liverpool’s future:
I am so happy we have got him. I think he can become a great player for us. There is still so much to come from him.
‘When I talked to him I could tell that he knows we have to work together to get this level out of him to all be successful for the team.
‘He can play a few positions for us and players that come through the Dutch system usually have a good tactical understanding and flexibility. That’s really important.”
Twenty five million is a lot of money to play for a player who at first glance does not seem to fit a need that the Reds have. A look at his stats at Newcastle last season shows a weaknesses of tackling and defensive contribution, which would seem to put him at odds with the pressing demands of Klopp.
But the bigger question is where will be play? Winjnaldum spent most of last season playing in an attacking central midfield role, but that is not an area that Liverpool need help since they already have Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana.
One option could to play Winjnaldum on the left side of that attacking trio, which would allow Coutinho to operate behind Sturridge where he will be in the best position to help unlock defences.
I like what Jurgen Klopp has done in the transfer market this summer. Loris Karius, Sadio Mane and Joel Matip will immediately make Liverpool better.
But the signing of Wijnaldum I cannot figure. It’s the same fee that Liverpool spent on Lallana two summers ago and the two will likely be in direct competition next season.
Given that Liverpool are not in Europe next week and can just focus on the Premier League, adding strength in depth in midfield seems to be an area that should be far down on Liverpool’s list of priorities.
What do you think of the signing?
