There's still so much extra to come from Wijnaldum after signing for Liverpool, says Jürgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp believes there is plenty more to come from Georginio Wijnaldum, although the £25 million summer signing's tally of 11 Premier League goals was more than any Reds player last term.

There's still so much extra to come from Wijnaldum after signing for Liverpool, says Jürgen Klopp
charlie-malam
By Charlie Malam

Jürgen Klopp revealed his delight at welcoming Georginio Wijnaldum to Liverpool and hopes his seventh signing of the summer can improve greatly under his management.

The attacking midfielder put pen-to-paper on a five-year contract to seal a £25 million move from relegated side Newcastle United on Friday.

The Netherlands international, who will fly out to the USA to join up with the Reds' first-team on their 10-day tour of California and Missouri, adds extra strength in depth in attacking positions.

The 25-year-old's ability to play in a number of different positions is one of the main reason's for Klopp's excitement - with the German confident that Wijnaldum can continue his progression at Anfield.

"I am so happy that we've got him," the Reds boss told Liverpoolfc.com, acknowledging that he can now join the squad in the US.

Klopp said that the Dutchman "can be a great player" for the club and explained that Wijnaldum has "already shown some really good moments in his career" but that the "most exciting and important thing" is his potential to improve further.

"There is still so much extra to come from him," he declared, revealing that speaking personally to the player revealed that Wijnaldum himself "knows we have to work together" in order to "get this level out of him to all be successful for the team."

Klopp confident Wijnaldum can apply his qualities on Merseyside after big-money move

Wijnaldum, the club's new No.5, pictured on his tour of Melwood. (Picture: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Wijnaldum, the club's new No.5, pictured on his tour of Melwood. (Picture: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Wijnaldum was identified as the player to boost Klopp's options in midfield after his pursuits of Piotr Zielinski and Mahmoud Dahoud came to nothing.

He scored 11 goals in his maiden season at Newcastle last term, where he finished as the club's top goalscorer after a £14.5 million move from PSV Eindhoven, as well as registering five assists. 

And the fact the Reds' new No.5 already has experienced of England's top-flight will help him to adjust on Merseyside, according to Klopp.

He insisted that Wijnaldum has "played a lot for his country already" and was "captain at a young age in Holland" as well as being involved in "a tough Premier League season."

"This experience gives him a good foundation for the challenge here," he continued, admitting that "everybody knows [the challenge] is huge" at Liverpool.

Klopp also hailed Wijnaldum's various qualities, saying that he "can play a few positions" in the team and that "players that come through the Dutch system usually have a good tactical understanding and flexibility" which is "really important."

He declared that he "can't wait" his new signing on to "the training pitch" and "for the fans to see him play in a Liverpool shirt."

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About the author
Charlie Malam
Digital Sports Writer at the Daily Express. First-class Staffordshire University Sports Journalism graduate. Formerly VAVEL UK's Liverpool FC editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Contributor since June 2014.