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The term “legend” in football clubs is often used too easily. When it comes to Liverpool, you need to go beyond what most players consider sufficient to feel worthy of that title.
Gini Wijnaldum is without a doubt an Anfield legend, make no mistake about it. Some of his most iconic moments in a Reds jersey will be talked about for years to come, maybe even decades. Middlesbrough at home, AS Roma away, and of course that beat Barcelona. But there comes a time when, for one reason or another, each legend has to take a new path. The same goes for Wijnaldum and it could arrive sooner than many would like.
With less than a year on his contract, a player of the Dutchman’s quality should not have his future in doubt, if the club is desperate to retain him. The fact that their future is still unresolved says a lot about where Liverpool are at the moment. If Jürgen Klopp prefers to make the most of a player in his senior year, rather than commit to another four or five years in which his quality may decline, recent history tells us that he is not afraid to do that.
Go back three years when Liverpool were in exactly the same situation with one Emre Can. A player who was inclined to great things in Merseyside, but Klopp made the decision not to offer the German a new contract. This sparked mixed emotions among fans, to say the least.
A free transfer to Juventus, a team Liverpool were looking to compete with on the European stage, seemed like a kick in the teeth to the club that had helped it reach the top of football. But if the last five years have taught us anything, it’s to have faith in Klopp. Can’s move to Italy did not go as planned, and now he is exercising his trade in Dortmund, which undoubtedly, from the outside looking in, feels better for the German.
For Wijnaldum, there is no question of his quality and current influence in this Liverpool. The fact that he has played more times than any midfielder since his arrival four years ago tells his own story of his importance to Klopp’s plans. Taking a look at Wijnaldum’s stats at Anfield, 19 goals and 16 assists in 189 appearances it might not sound impressive from the start. This comes down to how Klopp has used the 29-year-old as a more conservative midfielder rather than a scorer as in his days with PSV Eindhoven and Newcastle, and even now with the Dutch national team.
Liverpool’s style of play is well documented, it is what has brought the club to the top of world football and is envied by rivals across Europe. But to maintain that level of success, Klopp will know that he has to adapt and become more unpredictable. While Wijnaldum is a vital cog in this Liverpool team, Klopp is not afraid to completely change his tactic and go with different options. New signings Thiago Alcântara and Diogo Jota allow that to happen in the here and now.
Many thought that the arrival of Thiago would mean the inevitable departure of Wijnaldum to Barcelona, something that has been suggested in certain rooms. That may still happen, but it wouldn’t be the best result for Liverpool. That, oddly enough, would probably be letting the Dutchman’s contract run out and letting him walk away with a free transfer next summer.
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When Klopp signed his new contract last December, part of the agreement was to prepare the club for the future and for life after his possible departure in 2024. Will Wijnaldum still be a Liverpool player four years from now? Is very unlikely. He would be 33 years old, could he continue to perform at the same levels that he is doing now? Maybe, maybe not. One thing is for sure, you deserve to leave on your terms rather than get kicked out.
Klopp will make the most of it, but will also prepare for his likely departure next summer. The arrival of Thiago means that there is less pressure on the club to keep Wijnaldum beyond his current contract. Liverpool can take their time and plan a possible new recruit, or promote players like Curtis Jones to a more regular role in the first team. It doesn’t sound so bad when it gets like this, does it?
This season could well be Wijnaldum’s last year at Anfield, let’s enjoy this talented and dedicated player we have been fortunate to have at the club for so long. And more importantly, trust what Klopp and the powers that be in the club to make the right decision.
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