Klopp the main influence for midfielder
It was the ‘Jurgen Klopp factor’ that persuaded Liverpool new boy Georginio Wijnaldum to join the Reds ahead of rivals Everton and Tottenham.
The Dutch international was a man in demand this summer after suffering relegation from the Premier League with Newcastle United.
Spurs offered Champions League football and fellow countryman Ronald Koeman wanted him at Goodison, but a meeting with the Reds boss convinced the attacking midfielder that Anfield was the right destination for him.
Their discussion ended with Wijnaldum enthused about the prospect of being part of the Reds’ bright future under Klopp.
“In that conversation he made me feel really good,” Wijnaldum said.
“He gave me a lot of confidence because he said he liked my way of playing football. He said I was a person he really wanted to have in his squad.
“Something like that is always good to hear. It made me happy, especially as it came from such a great trainer like Jurgen Klopp.
“He showed how good he is at Dortmund with all the success he had. It’s always great when a trainer of that kind of ability says he needs you in his team.
“There was interest from Everton but Liverpool had more interest. Jurgen gave me a good feeling in that conversation. Straight after that I had the feeling that I wanted to come to Liverpool.
“Of course Liverpool is a big club with a good history. Everyone knows that. But there had to be a match.
“He’s in charge and if a great trainer like him wants you then it gives you more confidence to come to a club like this.”
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
