Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has been pulled out of Holland training today (Wednesday), according to NOS.
The Dutch outlet claims on their website that the 28-year-old has been suffering with flu, and was forced to stay inside during training before Saturday’s clash with Northern Ireland.
NOS report that Wijnaldum completed work alone in the gym whilst the rest of the Dutch squad were out on the training field.
The £75,000-a-week star [Source: Spotrac] has been a mainstay in Ronald Koeman’s side in the past year and scored twice in their recent victory over Belarus in the last international break during October.
OPINION
Given that it is only the flu that Wijnaldum is suffering from, even if he misses games during the international break he should be fully recovered before returning to Liverpool. If there was a perfect time for the Dutch star to pick up a problem, it would be this break as he can use the two-weeks to get back to the top of his game. The 28-year-old has been in sensational form for the Reds this season and has cemented his spot in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, he would be a big miss for both his club and country. It wasn’t all doom and gloom though, as Wijnaldum managed to complete some work in the gym so he isn’t massively restricted as he tries to shake off the consequences of the weather most likely. Klopp will want his players to miss games during the break for their country should they not be 100%, and Koeman has the resources available to him to pick up three points in qualification without having to risk one of Liverpool’s under-the-radar ace.