90min

Jurgen Klopp Holds 'Positive Talks' With Georginio Wijnaldum Over Liverpool Future

By Matt O'Connor-Simpson

Georginio Wijnaldum may have moved a step closer to securing his Liverpool future
Georginio Wijnaldum may have moved a step closer to securing his Liverpool future / Robin Jones/Getty Images
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has held 'positive talks' with Georginio Wijnaldum over his future at the club.

The understated midfielder has been a key ingredient in the Reds' recent success, missing just one game last season as Klopp's side secured the Premier League title by a margin of 18 points. He also featured in the 2018 and 2019 Champions League finals.

Wijnaldum has won a Premier League and Champions League title with Liverpool
Wijnaldum has won a Premier League and Champions League title with Liverpool / Pool/Getty Images

Wijnaldum has one year remaining on his Anfield deal and talks are yet to begin over the renewal of his contract. Barcelona have been sniffing around the former Newcastle man recently, who Blaugrana boss Ronald Koeman worked with during his time in charge of the Netherlands.

Klopp is keen for Wijnaldum to remain in Merseyside and according to Sky Sports, the pair held discussions over his future on Wednesday. The talks are understood to have been positive which could dent Barça's chances of landing the 29-year-old.

The news is the latest blow in what has been a disastrous summer for the Catalan giants. After surrendering the La Liga title to Clásico rivals Real Madrid, they were then thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter finals.

It was one of the most humiliating results in the club's history and represented the culmination of years of mismanagement on and off the pitch. In the aftermath of this disaster, the vast majority of the playing squad was put up for sale, while Lionel Messi even expressed his desire to leave the club.

Messi has since confirmed that he will be staying at the club but it still looks set to be a tough season at the Camp Nou.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have had a much quieter summer. Aside from signing Kostas Tsimikas, the Reds have been quietly preparing for their defence of the Premier League title which kicks off against Leeds United on Saturday.