Hamann believes Wijnaldum is key to Liverpool fortunes

Didi Hamann knows all about Steven Gerrard’s huge influence at Liverpool and the German believes that Georginio Wijnaldum is bringing back a goal-scoring threat from midfield not seen since the England great left.

Hamann and Gerrard spent seven years together at Anfield, with the German playing a crucial role in the 2005 Champions League win, rising from the bench at half-time before converting Liverpool’s first penalty despite nursing a broken toe.

Wijnaldum moved from Newcastle in the summer and has scored five goals in the Premier League as Liverpool have moved into fourth place.

And Hamann believes Winjaldum’s goals are adding something vital to Klopp’s midfield.

“I like him a lot. He showed at Newcastle that he’s a goalscoring midfielder and I think he brings a lot more to the team,” he said.

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“He’s got a lot of energy, he can win a ball, I think he’s got very good vision, he’s a good passer of the ball.

“So I think his all-round game is very good, and obviously the goals [are] the icing on the cake.

“Since Gerrard left, we lacked goals sometimes from midfield. The more players scoring goals, the more it takes pressure off the front three – they can’t always do it on their own.

“For the short time he’s been here, I think he’s been a brilliant buy and I think he’ll only get better.”