Liverpool have done some shrewd business bringing in Georginio Wijnaldum, two of his former Newcastle United coaches have revealed to ESPN FC.
The Dutch international completed his move from Newcastle on Friday for a reported fee of £25 million, penning a five-year deal with the Reds. Wijnaldum departed the North East after one season, where his 11 goals and five assists could not prevent Newcastle from relegation to the Championship.
The 25-year-old made a move to the Premier League in July 2015 from PSV Eindhoven for £14.5m, signing under then-manager Steve McClaren.
McClaren, who also played against Wijnaldum when managing FC Twente in the Eredivisie, believes the transfer will be good for both parties and says that the all-purposeful midfielder can fit anywhere into Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“I think it’s a fantastic move for him,” McClaren told ESPN FC. “I know him really well from my Holland days when he was at PSV and I always kept my eye on him. I had an opportunity to buy him and I had no hesitation because on the field he can play in various positions, he works and can score goals — a big asset.
“In Newcastle, he played in midfield, he played a No. 10, he played on right side and left side and he showed his versatility, which was needed. He was a big, big player.
“I used to watch him in Holland a lot when he was No. 10. He didn’t adjust to that very well in England and he played in central midfield. He’s got to find a best position. As he’s getting older, he needs to establish a position.
“But it’s a great signing by Liverpool because Liverpool play in that flexible way and [Klopp] wants players who have a high energy, can press, can deal with the ball, can take the ball in tight situations and, most of all, score and assist.”
McClaren added: “He’s fit, flexible and mobile. I remember one or two goals where he made unbelievable 80-yard sprints to get from one end into the other and in the box.
-espnfc