The Anfield outfit ran riot in front of goal on Sunday evening as they defeated Watford by the heaviest winning scoreline of the current Premier League season.
Liverpool took their goal tally to 30 by grabbing 6 goals against Walter Mazzarri’s charges in what was an advanced typical Liverpool attacking masterclass.
A brace from Mane, and goals from Firmino, Coutinho, Can and Wijnaldum helped make the rout possible, and Jurgen Klopp might have a thing to take away from the game as far as one of his goalscorers go.
Netherlands international midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum – rated at €36.9 Million – finally opened his goal account, scoring from a rebound, after Pantilimon spilled Daniel Sturridge’s shot. It is his first Premier League goal since May while he still lined up for the then relegated Newcastle.
In a 5 – 1 demolition of Tottenham at the Saint James’ Park on matchday 38, the 25-year-old midfielder bagged a brace to put his season’s tally in the league to 11th, finishing as Newcastle’s highest goal scorer of the season. All his EPL goals in his debut term in the top flight came at home, and his debut goal for the Reds came at Anfield too.
Georginio Wijnaldum: Has scored each of his 12 Premier League goals at home (11 for Newcastle, 1 for Liverpool) #LIVWAT
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 6, 2016
The home goalscoring record of the former PSV star is incredible, and it could be a strength Klopp exploits to the advantage of his side’s attacking genius.
The German isn’t depending on his strikers for the goals, as none of the 30 league goals has come from any of the club’s 2 centre forwards. Only 1 of the goals has been contributed by 1 of the duo.
With the midfielders and forwards responsible for the goals, Klopp might have found himself a secret goalscoring weapon in Wijnaldum.
Until picking up a knock in October after the Swansea game that led to the international break, Gini had provided 2 assists in 7 league games for the Reds. His importance in the team remains crucial, given how he has combined with the duo of Lallana and Henderson in the middle of the park.
He started the season as a regular face in Klopp’s starting XI, until his knock, and Can seemed to have taken up the spot since the West Bromwich Albion clash. However, Wijnaldum’s ability to be ruthless in front of goal at home might come very handy for Liverpool.
Although he has had to play a more laid back role offensively since arriving Anfield, given his role and the attacking prowess of the forward trio, he still has managed to display his keen eye in contributing in the final third having created 13 chances in 10 league appearances this season.
The box-to-box midfielder sure can contribute his quota in front of goal for Liverpool, and with the Reds not relenting in their title-winning ambitions, having moved to number 1 on the log across the weekend, having an additional goal threat in Wijnaldum will only further help their cause.
His home record in the EPL for a midfielder is enviable, and if he can continue that fine run in the attacking third, there may not be stopping Liverpool this season.
Liverpool will do good by starting Wijnaldum more at Anfield as the campaign continues, he could just be all the difference needed as competition gets stiffer.