‘I was a bit sad’: Micah Richards makes claim about Liverpool & 30-year-old’s decision

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Micah Richards told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport that he is ‘a bit sad’ that Gini Wijnaldum is leaving Liverpool.

The 30-year-old will leave upon the expiry of his contract next month after winning the Premier League and Champions League with Liverpool.

Since the start of the season, Liverpool fans more or less knew as the months were ticking by that Wijnaldum was going to head for the exit door.

And that time has now come, as Richards spoke in awe of the rare qualities he has at his disposal.

“Wijnaldum is one of them players who you look at and think ‘what does he give you different?’,” said Richards. “He’s not the best attacking midfielder and he’s not the best defensively.

“But what he is good at. If you ever see Wijnaldum in tight situations. If you see a fullback or a centre-back has got the ball and someone plays the ball into him. He always shows and rarely gives the ball away for Liverpool to start attacks.

“It’s similar to what Gareth Barry used to do at Manchester City – it’s one of the hardest jobs of the midfielder to sort of get the ball in tight areas and start attacks.

“What separates from the good midfielders to the very good ones is that they shy away from the ball – I was a bit sad not to see him staying. It’s hard to replace him.”

Now it’s time for Liverpool to look for a replacement for their quick-thinking Dutchman.

Does that player come from within? Or do they search the transfer market for someone with strong technical qualities and an intelligent footballing brain?

There are players at Liverpool who can put their hands up to replace Wijnaldum – from Curtis Jones to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but it’s still going to difficult to replace the massive hole he will leave.