IN the Rafa Benitez era, The Kop used to sing every week about Liverpool having “the best midfield in the world”. “We’ve got Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko, Gerrard and Mascherano,” the song went on. As much as he was well loved and carved out cult-hero status, the inclusion of Sissoko was somewhat generous. But it scanned as a song, so it stuck.
The other players referenced were undoubtedly world-class — Alonso retiring with a World Cup, two European Championships and two European Cups among his medals, while Mascherano also won the Champions League twice among his hefty haul. Gerrard lifted Old Big Ears, too, hanging his boots up as a bona-fide Liverpool legend.
These days, though, when appreciation is dished out for Liverpool’s middle men, the plaudits are not so inclusive.The think pieces and video montages tend to be about Fabinho’s Brazilian combination of brains, brawn, battle and brilliance lately. Jordan Henderson continues to divide opinion for both club and country, despite captaining the Reds to a Champions League triumph and continuing to show his quality.
Wijnaldum against a big side at home might be the second best midfielder in the world….
— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) November 10, 2019
But even he was getting the plaudits post Manchester City after wrapping his foot around the perfect cross for Sadio Mane to score Liverpool’s third. Meanwhile, though, back on the Kop, a different beat often rains down to pitch level. To the tune of This Girl by Kung, Gini Wijnaldum is regularly serenaded by supporters, even if he isn’t elsewhere in the game. It’s regularly sparked by yet another moment of magic but, often, it’s not in either box, which may go someway to explaining the juxtaposition of the Rotterdam-born star finding himself a Ballon d’Or nominee, yet not even making the top 20 midfielders of the regularly referenced FIFA 20 ratings.
Wijnaldum might not make the highlights reels, the memes or the social media skill shows, but whether it’s pirouetting out of a sticky situation, being in the right place to pinch possession or knitting together another spell of superiority, Anfield’s appreciation of Gini’s bottle is clear. And it’s extended to his club manager Jürgen Klopp, who not only sanctioned his £22million bargain purchase from Newcastle United, but has rarely passed him by for Premier League games ever since.
In the three full seasons the Dutchman has been at Anfield he has appeared in 36, 33 and 35 of the 38 games Liverpool have contested in the league. It’s 12 out of 12 this season so far. Not bad for a man’s whose heart and character was questioned when he left Tyneside post-relegation. For his country, too, a similar picture is painted these days. After a slow-ish start to his international career, Wijnaldum is now a mainstay for Holland.
So should he too be part of a song about the best midfielders in the world? Many would still scoff at the notion, but they shouldn’t. There is little he is lacking as a footballer: showboat skills, strength, aerial power, passing range and more. As the stats show, at 29, he is now trusted, week after week, in the biggest of games. As a substitute he can make an impact, too. Just ask Barcelona.
Gini Wijnaldum appreciation tweet. One the most underrated players in the world, massive big game player for us. His excellent reading of the game, press resistant and so calm under pressure.
If you don’t understand his role, then I really do feel sorry for you. pic.twitter.com/2o99cqxv91
— Sam (@SamueILFC) November 13, 2019
And for Liverpool, and Holland, he has repeatedly demonstrated his versatility – always the sign of a player with solutions up his sleeve. Wijnaldum is comfortable in any role through the spine of a side and Klopp has deployed him everywhere from centre-back through midfield and even briefly into Roberto Firmino’s relentless role. The Dutch have also tinkered with his talent, asking him to play as a six, in the number eight position and, currently, in a role further forward.
It’s proven fruitful for Holland coach Ronald Koeman, with Wijnaldum plundering seven international goals in 12 months from a role just behind the strikers. Back at Anfield though his game intelligence is deployed mainly as a conduit between back and front. A man who holds his position, is ever present, ever pressing and who rarely wastes the ball.
As an example, against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday only one of his 36 passes failed to find a man in red. At times, supporters still question what he does. He’s rarely a Match of the Day feature. But Wijnaldum is not asked to be Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano or even Sissoko for Liverpool. He’s the calm controller, twiddling the dials and checking the temperature as the mayhem unfolds all around.
For country, it’s a different ask. And that he performs his varying tasks so diligently, and so consistently, is all the explanation needed for his near permanent placement on the team-sheets of Klopp and Koeman in recent times.
The best midfield in the world? Wijnaldum could more than hold his own in it. Meanwhile, the Kop will keep banging his drum. Even if nobody else does.
