Gini Wijnaldum is more or less wrong about Atletico Madrid
Liverpool star Gini Wijnaldum is more or less wrong in his assessment of Champions League opponents Atletico Madrid.
The Reds travel to Spain on Wednesday as they try to plot a course to the next round of Europe, and Wijnaldum has aired the usual platitudes about the upcoming opposition.
Speaking to the official club website, the Dutch midfielder praised Atletico and compared them to Jurgen Klopp’s side. But in that, he is more or less wrong.
"He said: “They are a lot like us, fighters. They are a team more or less like us, also really difficult to beat.”"
More from Rush The Kop
- Set to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back home
- Liverpool making late comebacks all the rage once again
- Wolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international duty
- Players to watch in the matchup with Wolves
- Predicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
To speak like that about the two sides does a massive disservice to Liverpool and the football team that Klopp has created and Gini Wijnaldum has played a part in carrying out. For a start, the Reds can entertain. Atletico are a joy vacuum as Diego Simeone has turned his squad into obedient robots who carry out his every will.
There was a time when Madrid were a good side and they could entertain. That side has vanished as players aged or got picked up by the true European elite outfits. They are left with a slightly confused version of themselves, with that grit and stone but then João Félix who cost £113 million and has two goals and one assists in 17 appearances.
31-year-old shithouse Diego Costa may not be available to lead the line, but they do have a side of fighters – even if they aren’t as good or are struggling a bit in the league. Their record of five losses out of their last seven games doesn’t indicate a side particularly hard to beat either.
Liverpool’s does.
Atletico have only won 10 out of their 24 La Liga games this season and have scored just 25 goals all season in a bit of a turgid campaign from Simeone’s warriors.
A record of 17 goals conceded is excellent, the second best in the league, and it is there we find their fighting spirit and their ability to secure results.
Next. The top 12 biggest Liverpool transfer disappointments. dark
But that is no way a reflection of how Liverpool go about things. These two sides have few similarities, and Gini Wijnaldum should know that better than anyone.