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Wijnaldum must stay
Gini Wijnaldum has grown accustomed to challenging perceived wisdom throughout her Liverpool career. And he’s still at it.
More than a few observers had expected this to be the season in which the Dutchman, out of contract at the end of the campaign, would slowly slide out of the picture of the first team, replaced by newcomer Thiago Alcantara.
Instead, with Thiago among several midfielders populating the treatment room in recent weeks, Wijnaldum has become a necessary and reassuring mainstay in the Reds’ engine room.
In truth, it’s always been that way with Jurgen Klopp, all too often condemned for feeble praise when those around him get the applause.
Not now. Here against Wolverhampton Wanderers, he helped Liverpool win the midfield arm wrestling early on before his sumptuously beaten by the second, shadows of the Wijnaldum playing a more offensive role for the Netherlands, effectively settled the contention.
It is easy to see why Barcelona is still interested, although, according to this evidence, they will not be the only ones. Wijnaldum would improve any team.
Having recently turned 30, the Dutchman may not fit the Fenway Sports Group model but, as James Milner has regularly shown, age is just a number for some players.
Klopp wants him to stay. The fans want him to stay. And you can bet your teammates want you to stay.
Liverpool should make persuading Wijnaldum to sign a new deal as a priority. It would be a breach of duty not to do so.
Well silence the doubts
They may not have sounded at full volume, but the alarm bells were ringing anyway.
Was something wrong with Sadio Mane?
After one goal in 11 games and a handful of intermittent performances, concern had grown among Liverpool supporters about the Senegalese’s form.
It hasn’t been the easiest campaign for Mane, a good start interrupted by a positive coronavirus test.
The long-term impact of the disease has yet to be determined, and he hasn’t been the only player who has struggled to reach previous heights after that diagnosis.
This, however, was Mane back in his powerful, commanding, outrageous prime, driving Willy Boly and Nelson Semedo into distraction and constantly throwing the ball in the air with a first touch that left even Jurgen Klopp in awe of admiration. .
Only Semedo’s involuntary intervention prevented Mane from claiming the goal his performance deserved at the last minute.
He even demonstrated his conscience by opting out of an acrobatic punt by challenging Conor Coady in an incident that was initially called a penalty before being properly overruled by the VAR. Write down the year, friends.
Mane never went anywhere. But Liverpool are happy to have him back.
Jones grows back
An example of how important Curtis Jones has become for Liverpool came midway through the first half.
With no players around him, the young man fell to the grass in obvious pain. A hush descended on the previously optimistic Anfield before the 19-year-old, after a little treatment, could continue.
Having risen to fame in an FA Cup loss to Wolves nearly two years ago, the Academy graduate here proved against the same opposition why he is now a full member of the first team.
Winner of the match against Ajax in the middle of the week, this latest display showed the growing maturity and discipline that contradicts his adolescence, with an instance of the second half in which he shrugged off the power of Willy Boly in a fight at the midfield, evidence of his strength on the ball.
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Liverpool’s other youngsters impressed, Caoimhin Kelleher kept a second clean sheet in a row, while Neco Williams downplayed an early booking with another encouraging display to help ensure that the Reds, despite their defensive interruption, have conceded just six goals. in 11 games.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Naby Keita returning as late substitutes, there is a feeling that the injury crisis is finally subsiding.
That being said, don’t be surprised if a mostly U-23 side takes the field for the Champions League tie at FC Midtjylland on Wednesday. Liverpool regulars deserve a break.
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