Mancs at war over teen ace
KLOPP: GINI IS REDS’ PERFECT MIDFIELDER
And, even though the confident Dutch star will speak his mind when he feels the need, Klopp wouldn’t have it any other way.
Wijnaldum, 28, is one of the first names on Liverpool’s team sheet, often flying under the radar while stars like Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk grab the headlines.
But as Klopp faces Tottenham today for the first time since beating them in the Champions League final in Madrid last May, he knows Wijnaldum’s energy, experience and quality are vital to Liverpool’s hopes of winning their first League title in 30 years.
“Gini speaks on the pitch for the way he plays. It’s just so obvious his importance,” said Klopp.
“And it is in both directions – in attack and defence, small spaces, big spaces, it is hard challenges, fine football, pretty much all of that”
“Is he the perfect midfielder? Yes, from the skill-set, 100 per cent. He has all that you need.
“There was his header against Barcelona too. He is not the tallest, but he is good in the air.
“He is a good jumper with good timing, all that stuff. It all makes him a pretty good footballer.
“That is how it should be. It is not my fault if he goes under the radar. You cannot ask me why he goes under the radar. I don’t set the radar!.
Wijnaldum is on record saying he has a love-hate relationship with the German and sometimes his anger boils over with Klopp’s continual search for perfection. And nothing sums up their relationship better than last season’s 4-3 Champions League semi-final win against Barcelona at Anfield.
Wijnaldum has admitted he was furious with Klopp for leaving him on the bench that night. But, after coming on at half-time, the Dutchman channelled his anger the right way to score two goals in as many minutes to help Liverpool catapult Klopp’s stars to the final against today’s opponents Tottenham.
Klopp (right) said: “Don’t worry, he is a personality in the dressing room. He is not the guy who says yes to everything.
“He’s not really knocking on my door, but, just like any other human being, if there are things he doesn’t like, it’s normal.
“Character is what makes you the person you are and sometimes it stops them going a bit further.
“I don’t mind players knocking on my door, but it shouldn’t happen too often. It is more about the information. If my information is correct, then hopefully they will accept it rather than making it a more personal thing. “The perfect reaction was when I didn’t start him against Barcelona at home – and he came on and scored twice. “‘You scored twice!’ I said to him. He replied, ‘Yes, but that’s because you didn’t let me out from the start’. I said, ‘So, who is right now?’.” Klopp has watched the full replay of Liverpool’s 2-0 Madrid win twice – and he knows revenge could be on Spurs’ agenda as they arrive at Anfield today after a poor start. “They can’t change what happened in the final, but they can use that and that will not be helpful for us,” added Klopp. “They have quality and are in a situation they don’t want to be in.”
MANCHESTER UNITED and Manchester City are involved in a transfer war over Rochdale teenage wonder Luke Matheson.
The England Under-18 defender, who made his league debut at just 15, is attracting interest from big Premier League clubs.
And League One Rochdale fear they will not be able to keep hold of their right-back beyond the January window.
And it is the big hitters from Manchester currently heading the queue – and gearing up for a head-tohead New Year scrap over the youngster’s signature.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw the qualities of £10million-rated Matheson at first hand earlier this season when he scored at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup.
That alone was enough to convince the Norwegian that Matheson, who turned 17 at the start of the month, has the potential to play at the highest level.
But it also caught the attention of neighbours City – with their manager Pep Guardiola said to be equally impressed by the rising Rochdale starlet.
And Rochdale just hope that the bidding will turn into an auction.