Playing for 90
Fansided

Early season Liverpool player power rankings

By Chad Dingman

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates his team's victory following the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates his team's victory following the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 16
Next
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his sides sixth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Watford at Anfield on November 6, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his sides sixth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Watford at Anfield on November 6, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

10. Georginio Wijnaldum

This is not last year’s Newcastle version of Wijnaldum, but that’s okay. The interior central midfielder has not had an easy time gelling with the rest of the team because of the amount of responsibility he has been given that he isn’t used to. This has led to him being one of the weakest usual starters in the squad, but not weak enough to lead to drastic changes. His production has been better than Henderson, Lallana, and Can in terms of creation, with 2.0 key passes per 90. His 86.8% pass accuracy is also solid.

Wijnaldum looks to have ceded the starting job to Emre Can, but that could just be temporarily. He has not started since incurring a hamstring injury over the last international break. While Can has done fine as his replacement, Wijnaldum has done slightly better in my opinion over the season. They both have different strengths and weaknesses, and there can’t be complaints about the team’s form since Can entered the lineup, but Wijnaldum offers more in attack and is a better passer.

Even if Wijnaldum is having an off game, the midfield is good enough to pick up the slack, and they have been great as a unit all year. He has been learning the system well, and I’d expect him to improve as the season goes on.

Wijnaldum came off the bench and scored a goal on the weekend against Watford. I don’t have any idea about who Klopp truly prefers, but right now I believe it is Can. However, it could just be a case of waiting for the team to play poorly and then making the switch. There is also the possibility that Wijnaldum is still feeling the effects of his injury.

Home/Liverpool FC