Mancs at war over teen ace

JURGEN KLOPP has revealed Georginio Wijnaldum is Liverpool’s 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 ha s admitted he was furious with Klopp for leaving him

But Kane says it is up to him to demolish the Reds’ rock HE’S A DUTCH DEFIANT: Reds boss Klopp admits Wijnaldum is ‘full of character’ WANTED: Rochdale’s teen defender Luke Matheson 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.