Wijnaldum: We're feeling good after a tough week
Liverpool capped off a demanding week with a resounding victory on Saturday and Georginio Wijnaldum has explained the benefits of their hard work.
The Reds headed to France on Monday for a training camp in Evian that included a series of intensive sessions designed to optimise the condition of the squad before the season begins.
They then flew to Dublin for a meeting with Napoli at the Aviva Stadium which they dominated, running out 5-0 winners against the talented Serie A side.
Wijnaldum himself was on the scoresheet with the game’s second goal having returned to the pitch after a disrupted period during the tour of the United States.
And while the past six days have been challenging on the body, the Dutchman insisted the players are in good shape as the opener against West Ham United gets closer.
Watch: Highlights of LFC 5-0 Napoli
“It was a good workout against a good team,” he told Liverpoolfc.com after the clash with Napoli.
“I think everything we did went well. Everything worked except for the last 10 minutes of the first half when the gaps in the midfield were way too big, so every time they had the ball they played it in between the gaps. It was difficult, it was hard because we had to run a lot, but I think if you look at it overall we played a good game.
“I feel fresh but it was a hard week. We trained a lot of the time and it was much tougher than it was in America. I think we did well. Everyone was fit during the trip and out of the trip and all was good.”
Jürgen Klopp highlighted Wijnaldum’s versatility when the midfielder signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2016 and he has proven a flexible option for the manager.
With resources depleted in the final weeks of last season, for example, the No.5 was used on several occasions as the deepest-lying man in the centre of the park.
But, as he showed against Napoli, his desire to find the net has not diminished.
“Every player wants to score more,” he added.
“I like to score goals as back in the day I was used to scoring goals. Of course, I’m playing differently now but I know I can score goals so I want to add it to my game.”
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