Wijnaldum is open to a rest from Jurgen
GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM is too professional to admit it, but he won’t mind if Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gives him a breather anytime soon.
Wijnaldum loves playing for Liverpool, but he acknowledges the physical exertions of last season took a toll on his body.
Now with a Champions League campaign to factor in – and the League Cup about to start on Tuesday night with a tie at Leicester – games are coming thick and fast for the Reds.
Klopp’s team are known for their high-energy attacking, which is great to watch but requires a huge physical effort from his players.
So Wijnaldum knows that it’s unrealistic for every player to perform at that same high level every week.
“I don’t want to say I need a rest,” he admits.
“But players will get tired, so if you have a big squad it’s easier to manage at the end of the season.
“Last year, we didn’t have a lot of options at certain stages, so that made it hard.
“I played almost all the games. But at the end of it, my body was broken. It was tough, really tough.
“It has already changed from last year because we have so many more matches and we have to rest a lot.
“But that is what you want as a player. You want to be in as many competitions as you can, so I’m not complaining.”
For all the time he has been at Anfield since moving from Newcastle in the summer of 2016, the Dutchman has been a regular in central midfield.
But life has suddenly become more complicated with the arrival from Arsenal of Alex OxladeChamberlain for £35m.
With him on the scene, Philippe Coutinho back in the squad after he didn’t move to Barcelona and Naby Keita already signed up for next season, Klopp will have plenty of options.
But, Wijnaldum is focusing on the positives, and embraces the challenge that lies ahead.
“The competition is normal,” he acknowledges.
“I look at it this way – I play for Liverpool and a lot of other players want to play for Liverpool and Liverpool wants good players.
“You have to compete with good players in your position. That’s what you must think when you’re at a big club.
“You must view it as something good. The other big clubs do it – the Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Tottenham, Barcelona, Real Madrid. Everyone does it.
“Even if you’re a top player in your position, if the club thinks they can sign another top player in your position, they will do it. If they don’t, another club will.
“You have to show the manager you are his best option in that position. It’s not easy the more good players you have, but it makes it easier for the team to win titles.”