Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand has been discussing Liverpool’s midfield after the departure of Georginio Wijnaldum.
The Dutchman swapped Merseyside for Paris this summer, leaving Anfield on a free transfer, and while the Reds have a number of options to replace him, Ferdinand believes that he’ll be missed.
Indeed, Ferdinand believes that Wijnaldum was key to the Reds’ high-energy style of play, and he’s questioned whether or not they’ll be able to continue playing in that way.
What’s been said?
Ferdinand claimed that Wijnaldum will be missed and questioned whether or not their players are up to the task of replacing the Dutch star.
“Massive, massive, massive, the legs, the energy, he was the engine in there man,” Ferdinand said about Wijnaldum.
“The midfield is an important part I agree, their midfield is very different. Their midfield is based on energy, legs and intensity. Yes they had quality in there, but it was fast, up and at them and in transition it was about losing the ball and retrieving the ball again, pressing teams. Can they do that with the players they’ve got in there now to the same effect?”
Will Liverpool flourish?
Jurgen Klopp needs to adapt to life without Georginio Wijnaldum at Liverpool, and that’s not going to be an easy task.
Wijnaldum seemed perfectly suited to the way Klopp wanted his team to play, and while players like Naby Keita or Thiago Alcantara are supremely talented, it’s hard to see them fulfilling the same duties as Wijnaldum.
Liverpool may need to adapt their style after this departure.
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