Klopp explains decision to play Wijnaldum as a striker

Joe Williams
Georginio Wijnaldum Liverpool Barcelona

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that it was a”big task” for Georginio Wijnaldum to play as a striker in Liverpool’s 3-0 loss to Barcelona on Wednesday night.

The German boss opted to use Wijnaldum in a false no.9 role with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane either side of him in the Champions League defeat.

Klopp was informed by the club’s medical department that Roberto Firmino was fit to play,but the German was unsure and claimed it was “good news” with Firmino on the bench.

Instead he started Dutchman Wijnaldum and admitted it took him half an hour to get into the game.

Asked about Wijnaldum’s versatility – and the former Newcastle man has now played centre-back, midfield and forward for the Reds this term, Klopp was full of praise for the 28-year-old.

Klopp said: “Yes it was quite a big task.

“He can play everywhere. When I told him he was surprised. He needed 30 to 35 minutes to adapt to it but in the second half he was really good. We needed this kind of player, an offensive player there who is good at defending because we cannot ignore the quality of Barcelona.

“Then we needed a player between the lines who is good enough to keep the ball and pass the ball.

“I know people from outside say it is easy and play another striker, but there are different jobs to do on the pitch and Gini did really well.

“He played there in Holland and played offensively for Newcastle and he knew about it. He is a player. As a player you have to be educated in a lot of things and he has this education.

“It was good, really good.”