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Liverpool FC: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp arrives for a Pre-Season Friendly match between Tranmere Rovers and Liverpool at Prenton Park on July 8, 2016 in Birkenhead, England. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)
BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp arrives for a Pre-Season Friendly match between Tranmere Rovers and Liverpool at Prenton Park on July 8, 2016 in Birkenhead, England. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool is tackled by Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on August 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool is tackled by Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on August 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Hope #2: That Georginio Wijnaldum can play at the top of the table in the Premier League.

Wijnaldum had a tremendous season last year with Newcastle United, scoring 11 goals in 38 matches. The Dutch international successfully made the transition from PSV and Dutch football into the Premier League, playing as an attacking midfielder that had little problem making the late run into the box. He not only delivered for Newcastle but also exceeded all expectations.

Here is the problem: Wijnaldum played for Newcastle United. While Newcastle was certainly in the Premier League side last season they were a poor side. Wijnaldum was very much the featured attraction for the side, getting buckets of goal-scoring opportunities that a player in his position might not normally get. Wijnaldum benefited from playing on a bad side and scored some goals that weren’t exactly important to matches or Newcastle’s season.

That might sound like a knock against Wijnaldum but it is more of a frank assessment of the state of affairs at Newcastle.The side did not give him many chances to succeed so he enters Anfield needing to prove that he can play at the top of the Premier League. Last season he didn’t really get to play in that many matches of consequence unless you count relegation matches.

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Wijnaldum has shown enough in his time with Newcastle and PSV that he can handle the rigors of the Premier League. Playing with Coutinho and two veteran midfielders in Jordan Henderson and James Milner will help him in some of Liverpool’s more difficult matches. In Liverpool’s victory over Arsenal last week Coutinho and Wijnaldum looked like they had played with one another for years making passes into space for the other with very little interference. Klopp and Liverpool supporters will be hoping that he can do this every match against the powers of the Premier League.

Next: Hope #3: That Mamadou Sakho can be their number one center-back.

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