18 Dec 2017 18:38:25
Would like to get peoples opinions on Gini Winjnaldum. He seems to look like a little kid who has lost confidence in terms of body language or maybe I am misreading it. Every game this season for the most part he looks void of ideas on the ball and will always pass back even when its clearly not the best option, which slows are attack. I understand playing a role when you keep things ticking over and play simple balls but 9/ 10 if you watch him he will pass back when a forward ball even a simple on is on. Chamberlain at the moment is ahead of him and should start against Arsenal but having said that I have probably jinxed it and Milner will start with Gini.

{Ed025's Note - he has been very poor alonso, but he is making hendo look like a world beater so its not all bad mate.. :)


1.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 18:53:31
Haha Ed25 you couldn't resist. Do you think its a case of where he is being deployed, the task he has been given, a dip in form or the fact he had a decent first season and he has regressed to his normal level or thereabouts.

{Ed025's Note - i dont think hes as good as expected alonso, outstanding in a poor newcastle side but after his initial impact he has as you say regressed, the test is usually how many top six sides would he get a game for?...thats nil imo mate..


2.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 19:10:41
Never rated him. Watched him last season seen nothing worth noting for him to be included in the side. This season again he's looked the same. Great work ethics but contributes little overall. Wijnaldim has great ability but he simply ghosts through games. I don't think he has a long term future with us.
We actually need reinforcements in midfield in the summer. Can looks like he's leaving, wijnaldim and lallana I think will be available at the right price and Henderson isn't improving. Keitas coming but I expect another midfielder to come in aswell.


3.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 19:31:14
I think u guys are being a bit unfair as Gini is being asked too play midfield roles that don't suit his attributes, he played at Newcastle an in Holland as an attacking midfielder, for us being asked too b more defensive an even played at the back, he is still important he is strong good technically an does a decent job.

{Ed025's Note - some of you reds fans cant admit that a player you have is just not that good hailstones, lets be honest its not just ability wise where he is lacking but tactically as well, take off the old red tinted specs and you will see that he is really not all that mate..


4.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 19:39:37
Ed25 he wouldn't get into any top six team so with you on that one. Big Al, we need two midfielders IMO, with the names you mentioned potentially leaving. Gini literally let's the game past him by to the point where I think he literally could have been off the pitch and it would not of made a difference. The midfield reinforcements have to be quality and not squad fillers in the same quality bracket of Naby Keita if we want to have success,


5.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 19:40:12
Second season now, he's going backwards. Shame because I had high hopes for him. I don't think he really knows his role in the team.

{Ed025's Note - unused sub ron?..


6.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 19:43:00
I'm with you on this one Ed25, he isn't good enough for us, not remotely close to good enough. I expect to see him benched once Keita comes in.

{Ed025's Note - me too salah mate..


7.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 20:19:37
First year he got 7 goals and 11 assists from midfield. He scored some massive goals for us against Chelsea, City and Spurs. It is beyond fickle to pretend like he wasn't good enough from day one.

This year he has been playing a far more defensive role to accommodate more attacking players. Last year we had Mane, Coutinho, Sturridge, Origi and Firmino. This season we have Mane, Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge, Salah, Chamberlain, Solanke and Ings. From 5 forward players to 8. It was obvious the likes of Gini would need to play more reserved because Klopp is squeezing more forwards into the team and squad.

Gini is doing an adequate job defensively, but it is not his natural game. Last season the midfield 3 all pressed relentlessly and it really suited Gini with his superb running power. This season we are as much a counter attacking team as we press, and it doesn't suit Gini as much. He is playing much deeper, to the point where he's looked deeper than Henderson at times.

He's not having an awful season, but he's just not impacting games as much as he did last year when the system suited him perfectly. As the team has adapted and changed, i no longer expect him to be first choice once Keita arrives. He doesn't have the passing range to play deep in a counter attacking team, and he doesn't seemingly have the same kind of pace and decision making qualities as our other attacking options, to convert back to a left winger.

I think Lallana is going to struggle with the new tactics as well initially. He isn't quick enough to be one of the wide men, nor can he can't pass well enough to be in the centre. His saving grace is he can potentially drive us forward in the same way Henderson and Chamberlain can, and he is quick to react to and pounce on mistakes.

Sadly (for Gini), i think our team has evolved away from the 3 man midfield of pure running power and pressing. The press is now more selective and explosive, which requires a burst of pace over a few yards that Gini doesn't have. Chamberlain, Keita and Henderson do though. We are now pouncing on loose touches and passes, instead of pressing teams for 90 minutes to force them into mistakes. It is probably an intentional ploy by Klopp to try a prevent the burn out we saw last season. We're still pushing up really high, but we're not chasing every single ball like crazed Jack Russel's. It's far more selective and far more intelligent.

The new tactics make Gini almost redundant. Hopefully he can prove me wrong though.

All just my opinion and subjective analysis though.


8.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 20:24:39
No ed, that's Mane 😉.

{Ed025's Note - hes not been great lately ron but he has the quality mate and that sets him apart..


9.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 20:32:57
Good post MK. unfortunately ed25 you are spot on mate. Hope your well.

{Ed025's Note - im good thanks ace, how are you doing mate?


10.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 20:35:59
Gini hasn’t been great this season but he would walk into Everton’s team and be the star man. That’s not a dig Ed honestly I’m just trying to put some perspective on this. He’s a very good player, maybe not top class but most teams in the prem would be happy to have him.

{Ed025's Note - saying he would walk into the everton team is not saying much for him ings, in fact its an insult to gini mate..


11.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 20:52:03
Just using Everton as an example as I know you can relate to it Ed. The same is true though of most teams in the Prem. He’s never going to be a world beater but he’s a good solid pro who can be very effective. Sometimes he isn’t but I don’t know any players in the world that play brilliantly every game.

{Ed025's Note - salah..


12.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 20:54:05
Lol atleast your honest Ed25. Ings n things I disagree, saying he's a very good player is beyond me I seriously doubt anybody in the top teams would have him but of course, each to their own mate. I do hope he can improve and prove me and others wrong but I don't think he will, to me we've seen what he can do and that's that and he can't do a great deal.

{Ed025's Note - i always tell the truth salah and cant see through lead...thats why they call me superman mate.. :)


13.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 20:58:47
Good post MK. Very good. Agree with you.


14.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 21:04:32
Not even Salah Ed. Did you watch the West Brom game?

{Ed025's Note - no mate i was ironing my hair at the time.. :)


15.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 22:02:47
Ed 025 I get were u Coming from in regards wijnaldum I jus think we don't play too his strengths he is at his best in attacking position I ain't sayin he not going backwards as a player cos he has regressed this season, jus cos I am a Liverpool fan doesn't mean I think all players we have are great, bloody hell mate I have been watching us for last 30 years an we have had a whole load of pure garbage.

{Ed025's Note - i just want the fans to be honest hailstones, if a player is playing well then laud him up by all means like salah, but if a player is playing poorly like gini then dont be afraid to say it like it is, forums like this are the place to express our feelings mate be them good or bad..


16.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 22:36:31
Thing is mate look at your good selves Everton jus cos say sigurdson didn't do anything for first ten games doesn't mean he is a bad player as he is proving now same wid Rooney who I know u weren't in favour of but his quality coming through wid goals, I remember earlier in season wijnaldum played amazing against arsenal everyone was singing his praises, I would like too see that version of wijnaldum but admittedly he is a squad player at minute an not a vital cog.

{Ed025's Note - and if he regains that form then he should get all the plaudits hailstones, im not writing him off because he is out of form as things can change, but at the moment he is not worth his place for me and now its up to him to step up to the plate, if not the keita will come in and he will be out in the cold because he has not done the business, and thats the way it should be mate..


17.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 22:55:44
I think Wijnaldum is a terrific little player, he may not be playing his best this season but the same could be said about Can and Henderson, he’d still get in my first 11 nine times out of ten. Of course a Toffee wouldn’t rate him, their idea of a good midfield is Barry Horne and Joe Parkinson!

{Ed025's Note - hes fine if your looking to finish top 6 smeg, if you want to win titles he is not in your side its as simple as that, some of you lot make me laugh with your undying loyalty to sub standard players...graeme souness once said.." show me a good loser...and ill show you a loser", prat of a man but those are very wise words mate..


18.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 23:09:55
I was many to say City, Chelsea and Arsenal. I domvt think Gini scored against Spurs. Luckily i think everyone realised i got the North Londoners muddled up!

Cheers Acered and Izzo!


19.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 23:13:56
I wasn't singing his praises mate jus saying he is useful too us especially wid not the strongest squad in top 6 I mean it's hard too fit him into say front 5 firminio Salah coutihno mane an the ox so he has too go in deeper role an it says a lot he went in defence when I seen the line up Vs Stoke wid him at back with Can I nearly peed my pants but he done a good job and shown his versatility, when keita comes though he walks right into team u bang on the money there.


20.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 23:18:50
So we should only be loyal to good players and players who are in form?

{Ed025's Note - yes, accepting mediocrity will win you nothing smeg and im not talking about a dip in form here, im talking about a lengthy spell of under achieving and failing to impact the team, but if your happy to watch performances like the ones against everton and WBA then good luck to you mate..


21.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 23:34:00
I'm with Ed25 on this one. I am a big fan of Gini and yes, he was immense for us last season. But this season, he has been poor. I don't know if he is being told to do what he is doing BUT if Hendo is being slated for passing sideways, what are we to say about Wiji who passes sideways and backwards more than Hendo does? He plays too safe for me and the fact that he cannot do a damn thing in away games is just crazy and not good enough. Ed25 is right. Keita will come in and will start ahead of him and if he does not buck up, he will be left behind cos we are getting better as a team and squad and we will not be held back by passengers who could not be arsed to put a shift in in away games.

{Ed025's Note - never a truer word said brover..


22.) 18 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 23:44:51
With you on that MK he isn't being asked to be a more attacking/ closing down player using his stamina. However I don't think Hendo has any more pace than Gini though that's neither here nor there.


23.) 19 Dec 2017
18 Dec 2017 23:48:53
I think MK's assessment is spot on. He isn't a bad player but, like so many players, is not a complete enough midfielder to take on a deeper or more defensive role. He is a very inconsistent player but can be very effective, but only when he is given a very specific role. He is not good enough to different roles comfortably it would seem.


24.) 19 Dec 2017
19 Dec 2017 03:07:40
I think Gini is a decent squad player for us, but that's it.
I think Gini is one of those players that thrive on confidence (similar to Mane) . I couldn't help notice in the Bournemouth game that he was just not making himself available for the pass enough or looking for the ball to be played in to him. I think he is not in a good place right now confidence wise, and that is showing in his football.
The lack of confidence may be coming from his understanding / belief in the role he is being asked to play. I hope he scores against Arsenal to help drive it back.


25.) 19 Dec 2017
19 Dec 2017 06:04:54
I am a big fan of Lucas Leiva and in my opinion he was much better than Gini.
Gini plays outstanding in 2-4 games every season and rest of the games he disappears.


26.) 19 Dec 2017
19 Dec 2017 07:09:32
Gini should be dropped as he is not playing well, that drive we saw last year has gone, and delays a lot of attack’s. I watched him most of the game against Bournemouth and the amount of time he spent occupying space where their was no chance of him receiving the ball was very disappointing. I certainly think he’s on the bench as we improve the midfield, but I think their is a place for him in the squad, if he regains his form from last year. A good rotation player, but certainly not deserving of his place currently.


27.) 19 Dec 2017
19 Dec 2017 12:07:22
Smeghead head or Brover, were is the support for wijnaldum? If his dad lost his hand in a clog accident or fell out of a windmill would you post in support of him then. Were is your sympathy? Wijnaldum is having a poor season but he was excellent last season, lovren has been awful since we signed him, maybe you should get behind players for football reasons and hope he gets back to his level.


28.) 19 Dec 2017
19 Dec 2017 10:35:28
What, do we just take turns shining our light of critique at liverpool players each week? Ed25, what you say about gini and top6 is ridiculous given he was a mainstay of our squad that achieved top4. I get what you're saying tho.

To me gini is another attack minded midfield player having to redesign his career at liverpool football club. Hendo, can, gini, lucas before them. All naturally attacking players turned into more defensive players. I think we under estimate the impact that has on a players mentality and how thw game is approched. Separate to that, it juat feels like we're going down the usual track of saying "he can't do that" or "he never does this" - extremely exaggerated generalizations of a player where fans only tend to pick up on the things they want to see.

{Ed025's Note - i can appreciate what your saying faith but shoehorning hardly ever works, its square pegs in round holes for me mate..


29.) 19 Dec 2017
19 Dec 2017 10:57:57
I'm good ed25 thanks. Least you got some hair to iron mate!

{Ed025's Note - i have a lot more than i need or want ace..when i get it cut i have one cutting and 2 bagging it mate..


30.) 19 Dec 2017
19 Dec 2017 14:55:51
"If his dad lost his hand in a clog accident or fell out of a windmill would you post in support of him then? "

😄 I don't get this.


31.) 21 Dec 2017
21 Dec 2017 16:58:17
It's from a different thread Ron! The two posters I mentioned, were saying lovren should not be criticised because he was "a refugee as child" and he's had "marriage problems" and some other stuff, so my point is (and I was being a little sarcastic I admit) they haven't defended wijnaldum from the criticism in this thread so I'm asking, do you need to have off the field issues and a rough childhood to be above any criticism?