Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum was lauded by a number of Reds fans following his performance in defeat against Atletico Madrid last night.
The 29-year-old scored his team’s first goal in their 3-2 extra time defeat at Anfield, getting his head to an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross shortly before half-time with the only goal of the regulation 90 minutes. That was the Dutchman’s fifth Champions League goal, having famously scored twice in last season’s epic 4-0 win over Barcelona as well as netting an ultimately crucial goal away to Roma in the 2018 semi-finals, leading him to be hailed as a “big game player” by some Kopites.
Aside from finding the net, Wijnaldum excelled in several other aspects of his performance. He provided the cross from which Roberto Firmino briefly put Liverpool ahead in the tie early in extra time, having been denied by Jan Oblak just before that assist. All three of his shots were on target and he also executed four key passes, completed four dribbles, won five headers and made three successful tackles against Atletico Madrid (as per WhoScored).
These Reds fans on Twitter saluted the Dutch midfielder following his accomplished performance despite the galling result:
Gini Wijnaldum appreciation tweet.
He was absolutly world class tonight.
Big game player. Always turns up.
— KloppSZN? (@KIopptinho) March 11, 2020
That was even a far better performance than against Barcelona, everyone came to the party. Everyone played a 9/10. Salah and Mane were simply brilliant. Wijnaldum was world class, almost unplayable at times. Everyone struggles without their first choice keeper, and we just did.
— Godson™ (@This_is_Godson) March 12, 2020
Gini Wijnaldum is something else on European Nights ??
— Jessamine (@JessamineH10) March 12, 2020
Wijnaldum. Big game player. Pay him whatever he wants.
— . (@Mo_official19) March 12, 2020
Gini Wijnaldum was class last night. Monster of a player!
Silly Individual error let them back into it ?.#Wekeepmovingforward #LFC #YNWA— suki singh (@sukisohota) March 12, 2020
Anyone who still doesn’t know what wijnaldum offers us look at last night he was for me head and shoulders the best player on that pitch
— Thomas Lee ? (@tomozlee09) March 12, 2020
Wijnaldum>>>>>>>>>>Frenkie de Jong
— Continental (@fergyhunnid) March 12, 2020
Gini Wijnaldum probably had his top 3 appearance in his club career yesterday. What a player.
On that note, this tweet is the last time I'll ever mention or speak about our loss to Atletico Madrid again. Operation "act like it never happened" begins now.
— An (@RoyalANfield) March 12, 2020
Do you think Wijnaldum was Liverpool’s best player last night? Comment below with your views!