Murphy explains why Wijnaldum could feel ‘edged out’ at Liverpool

Georginio Wijnaldum could want to leave Liverpool to follow in the footsteps of Johan Cruyff and other legendary Dutch players that played for Barcelona, according to Danny Murphy.

There have been recent reports that the Netherlands international turned down the Reds’ latest attempts to persuade him to stay at Anfield.

Other reports have claimed that Wijnaldum has given Barcelona the ‘green light’ to sign him with his contract up in the summer.

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Wijnaldum has won the Champions League and Premier League in the last two seasons with Liverpool and some have questioned why he would want to leave Anfield.

But Murphy reckons his desire to leave is more about wanting to play for Barcelona than not wanting to be at Anfield anymore.

Murphy told talkSPORT: “I understand it more, away from growing up as a Liverpool fan and Liverpool player in this kind of bubble where you’d think, ‘why would he want to leave Liverpool? They won the Premier League and Champions League etc’.

“He’s 30 years old, the manager of Barcelona was his national team manager, who he gets on with really, really well.

“We don’t know his aspirations and dreams as a young player.”

Murphy added: “In Holland, for example, there are a lot of players who looked up to the likes of Johan Cruyff, Koeman, people like that.

“Maybe Barcelona is a dream [Wijnaldum] has always had. Maybe he feels at Liverpool with some of the signings, that he’s being a little bit edged out.

“That hasn’t shown in terms of selection, as he always seems to be in Klopp’s best team.

“I think he’s done a terrific job for Liverpool, and if he was to leave Liverpool fans would be very appreciative and thankful of the job he’s done in a Liverpool shirt rather than being critical of him for leaving.”