Georginio Wijnaldum is much loved by the Liverpool faithful, even after opting to leave Anfield at the end of his Reds contract in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain.

The midfield has long been seen as Liverpool’s biggest problem and the position Jurgen Klopp needs to strengthen.

Many believe these issues really surfaced when Georginio Wijnaldum left the club in the summer of 2021. The Reds have since tried to address the issue this summer by signing both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai but it has yet to show. if one can match what Wijnaldum has brought on and off the pitch.

The Dutch international was one of the most respected voices in the Anfield dressing room during his half-decade at Merseyside. This became clear when Wijnaldum played a key role in a 2-1 comeback win against Tottenham in 2020. A late header from Roberto Firmino gave the Reds all three points, but it was Wijnaldum who was praised by manager Klopp after the match for his outburst in the dressing room before the game. “I think it was Gini in the dressing room before the Tottenham game. ‘Let’s not waste the first half again!’ he shouted.”

That praise came at a time when Wijnaldum’s future was in the air as his contract with the Reds was about to expire. He will leave Liverpool on a free transfer less than a year later, seduced by the glittering lights of Paris Saint-Germain.

It was a move that didn’t really work out and after one season in the French capital, he decided to join Serie A side Titans Roma on loan in the summer of 2022. Prior to his spell at Roma, Wijnaldum appeared to hint that he regretted leaving Anfield after his debut season at PSG saw significantly reduced playing time.

Speaking to Dutch outlet NOS in March of last year, Wijnaldum said: “I can’t say I’m completely happy, because the situation is not what I wanted.

“But that’s football and I’ll have to learn to deal with that. I’m a fighter. I have to stay positive and work hard to turn it around. I have played a lot in recent years, was always fit and also did very well. This is something different and that takes getting used to.

“I was really looking forward to the new step and then this happens. It is very difficult.”

That feeling of regret seems to be reciprocated by Klopp, who confessed he misses Wijnaldum last year. “Even when we prepare for an opponent like Chelsea, we look at our games against Chelsea and see Gini running around there,” he explained.

“We still have to get used to that. It is not only on the pitch we miss him but we really, really miss him in the dressing room as well.”

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Liverpool Kylian Mbappé guarantee made after $217m bid as West Ham Reds ‘offered’ transfer in flop

Liverpool rivals overview: Speculation continues over Kylian Mbappé’s future, as West Ham are reported to suffer a flop with Liverpool this summer.

Liverpool and other clubs are now returning to training but there is still a lot of transfer activity to be done this summer.

The Reds have begun preparations for the season, with the first group of players returning to the AXA Training Center on Saturday before the rest of the group joins them on Tuesday.

With new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai returning to training this week, Jürgen Klopp will no doubt be hoping to have at least one new arrival soon.

The Liverpool manager has some business to attend to this summer, but he’ll have to navigate a heating up market across Europe. Kylian Mbappé’s future will undoubtedly be in the headlines throughout the summer as his spell at Paris Saint-Germain appears to be coming to an end. And of course, if Mbappe is mentioned, Liverpool aren’t that far behind.

Here, Liverpool.com takes a look at other top teams in the Premier League and across Europe for an overview of what’s going on at other clubs.

Kylian Mbappé guarantee made after Liverpool ‘bid’

PSG feels Kylian Mbappé has an agreement in place to join Real Madrid in 2024, and is convinced he won’t join Liverpool, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Earlier this week, journalist Edu Aguirre sensationally claimed on El Chiringuito TV that Liverpool had made a $217m (£171m/€200m) offer for Mbappé. That has now been knocked back by Romano, who insists PSG can ‘guarantee’ it hasn’t received any bids from English clubs.

Liverpool.com says: No one really believed Liverpool had made a bid like that, did they? It always seemed too good to be true, and it was inevitable that someone would eventually knock back the claim. If Mbappé is going anywhere, it’s likely to be Real Madrid, although it would be galling to say the least if PSG loses him for free next year

West Ham offered Arthur Melo by Juventus

According to Tuttosport, West Ham had the opportunity to sign Arthur Melo from Juventus this summer.

The Italian outlet says Juve are looking to push the midfielder out of the club following his poor loan spell at Liverpool last season. Hammers boss David Moyes was reportedly offered the 26-year-old while talking about fellow Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria.

Liverpool.com says: It’s hard to imagine a Premier League club wanting to sign Arthur after his time at Liverpool. Having played a total of 13 minutes for the Reds first team, it’s fair to say his loan deal at Anfield was a complete flop, and West Ham would be taking a big risk if they took on the Brazilian this summer.