We must keep our heads in race for top four, says Liverpool’s Wijnaldum

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has called on his teammates to keep a cool head as they look to finish in the Premier League top four.

The Reds are currently third in the table with a four-point cushion over Arsenal – who have a game in hand – in fifth, and take on West Ham United on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side know winning their final two league matches will secure Champions League football for next season, with the Hammers on Sunday and Middlesbrough the following week standing in their way.

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Dutchman Wijnaldum, who joined Klopp’s side from Newcastle United in a £23 million deal last summer, believes a relaxed mental approach to the games is critical for the Reds to keep their nerve and get themselves over the line.

“I think we have to be relaxed in mind and not create a thought like ‘we have to win, we have to win, we have to win’, because there are some things we’re not in control of,” the 26-year-old said.

“You have to think of a lot of things to win a game, because you play against a team who will not want to lose, so I think it’s better to keep your thoughts on your own performance and the performance of the team.

“I have the confidence that if we do that, the chance will be bigger that we can win than if we think ‘we have to win the game’, because then you put pressure on yourself that’s useless.”