It truly was an incredible season for Liverpool, wasn’t it? Finishing second in the Premier League with 97 points and just one defeat was, of course, a bitter pill to swallow but a phenomenal achievement none the less.
After all, who could forget a memorable sixth Champions League victory that truly cemented Jurgen Klopp as one of the world’s best? Truly amazing stuff, as we’re sure you’ll agree.
Yet, it’s only going to get harder from here. Getting to the top is one thing and staying there is another but that’s what is needed from the best teams in the world. Indeed, replicating their form will be hard both collectively and individually, perhaps for none more so than Georginio Wijnaldum.
Clearly, the Dutchman was mightily impressive this season, truly making that attacking midfielder role his own. Making 35 appearances in the Premier League, also playing in 12 Champions League games, he managed five goals in that time. Not the greatest return, right? Well, the goals he did score were hugely important. You just look back to his two goals against Barcelona that were absolutely vital in making it to Madrid.
Of the 13 goals Wijnaldum has scored for Liverpool, the only goal not against a team you wouldn’t consider on the highest level came against Middlesbrough in the last game of the 2016-2017 season. Frankly, even that was a truly vital contribution, being the opener that eventually secured Champions League football for the following campaign.
Essentially, the midfielder can be counted on as a big game player.
So why is it going to get more difficult for the former Newcastle man? Well, primarily due to the increased competition he will face. Sky Sports have reported Liverpool are close to agreeing a contract extension with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a figure largely on the periphery as it stands.
The Englishman made just two Premier League appearances this season and failed to play in the Champions League after suffering damage to cruciate and medial ligaments as well as the tendons to his hamstring last season. After reports initially suggested he would miss the whole season, he actually returned earlier than expected and, despite not making a significant impact, it will certainly be a big season ahead for the midfielder.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was a key figure in the Liverpool midfield up until his injury. He made 32 league appearances, scoring three and assisting seven, as well as racking up more key passes (1.1 per 90 mins to 0.7) and dribbles (1.3 to 0.8) in the Premier League last term than Wijnaldum did this time around.
Obviously, how he will return remains to be seen, but should he be the player he was previously, it spells problems for Wijnaldum.
A further problem arrives in the shape of Naby Keita. The £48m signing showed glimpses of promise in his 25 league games this season, but ultimately failed to make a huge impact after such a long wait to bring him to Anfield. Still, it was his first season in the Premier League and it’s never easy to adapt.
After all, just look at Kevin de Bruyne at Chelsea or Bernardo Silva at Manchester City, neither were even close to the standard they are at now in their first season.
With Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita and even Jordan Henderson enjoying an advanced role in the engine room towards the end of the season, there is serious competition for places here. As a result, it could get very difficult for Wijnaldum.
Liverpool fans, who do you think will start in midfield next season? Will Gini be given a starting role or will he have to settle for the bench? Comment below.
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