The 29-year-old was bought by the Reds in 2016 and has developed into an important member of the well-oiled winning machine, playing a pivotal role in his side’s Champions League success last season.
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However, the player he is now is very different from the one that arrived at Anfield from Newcastle and he says such a transformation is down to Klopp.
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“He gave me the confidence to join Liverpool and develop more as a player,” Wijnaldum told CNN Sport.
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“I was more of an attacking player, scoring goals. I didn’t defend that much but now I also regain balls and help the team have a better balance. In that way, he helped me a lot.”
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‘Tough competition’
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Wijnaldum’s willingness to adapt his game to Klopp’s trademark system has reaped rewards.
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The Dutchman was shortlisted for this year’s Ballon d’Or award and has been involved in every game of Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the English Premier League season.
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It’s a record which has taken the Reds eight points clear of second-placed Leicester City, with Manchester City a further three points adrift.
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Despite the gap, Wijnaldum says his side cannot not take anything for granted, especially after it threw away a nine-point lead in the league last season.
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“You should always expect that your opponents could strike back,” he added, saying Klopp was determined for the side to keep its feet firmly on the ground.
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“The Premier League is such a tough competition, if you look at the last couple of games […] we didn’t win those games easy, we were really fighting to get the points.”
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Derby day next
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Next up for Klopp’s side is a mouthwatering derby tie against local rivals Everton Wednesday.
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Whilst Liverpool has been flying high, its neighbor has been struggling at the opposite end of the table and suffered a heartbreaking last-minute loss to Leicester Sunday.
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The poor run of results has piled pressure on Blues manager Marco Silva, whose side is just two points off the relegation zone.
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Despite their polarizing fortunes, Wijnaldum is aware of the threats posed by the Toffees in what has always been a feisty affair.
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“Every club is looking for a moment to strike back, and I think for Everton, there will be a perfect moment to strike back because its a derby,” he said.
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“It’s the biggest game for Everton supporters, so if you can strike back in that game it will give a lot of confidence so it’s going to be even harder.
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“We just have to make sure we deal with that situation.”
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International glory
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In addition to domestic success, Wijnaldum is very much part of his national side’s rise from the ashes.
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Alongside Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk, he has helped Holland qualify for next year’s European Championship — repairing some of the damage caused by not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
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Manager Ronald Koeman, previously in charge of Everton, has successfully blended a number of experienced heads with a crop of young players with plenty of potential.
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Asked whether his country could win Euro 2020, Wijnaldum said: “You have to play good, you have to grow during the tournament and sometimes you also need luck.
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“We have to see if we can deal with the pressure during the tournament.”
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Wijnaldum has been keen to use his elevated platform to raise awareness of racism within the game and has called for tougher sanctions for such abuse.
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During a recent game against Estonia, Wijnaldum celebrated a goal by pointing to his skin in protest to recent racist incidents that have marred Dutch football.
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