Wijnaldum pours praise on ‘fast’ new Liverpool pair

Matt Stead

Georginio Wijnaldum has poured praise on Liverpool summer signings Mohamed Salah and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Reds spent £77.3million in the summer, with Salah and Oxlade-Chamberlain their only two signings for fees.

The former has hit the ground running, scoring his fifth goal on his eighth appearance for the club in the 1-1 draw against Burnley.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has taken more time to settle, and is still waiting for his first start and first win for the club.

Wijnaldum has praised both, saying that they add “pace” and “speed” to the squad.

“[He brings] a lot of pace and speed! He is technical,” Wijnaldum told LiverpoolFC.com of Salah.

“He is not only a guy who scores goals but is also a team player, trying to defend with the team and trying to let other players score.

“He’s a great signing for Liverpool and he is also a good person.

“He has settled in really quick because he is a person who socialises with other players and loves to speak with other players, which makes it easier for him and for us to accept him.”

On Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Dutchman added: “The same as Mo – he is also really fast. He is a good team player, a player who can play in different positions.

“That makes it easier for the manager and for us as a team; if something happens in a game you have a few players who can play more positions. That can help us as a team.

“It helps me to be a better player because if you train with better players and play with better players, it automatically makes you a better player.

“That helps me personally but also the team. We have to realise we are playing for Liverpool, a big club and a club that will always sign big players and good players.

“You’ll always have to compete for your space but you have to be happy that you have to compete, because that means you have a good squad and play for a good team.