Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed that the conversation between him and Jurgen Klopp was the deal breaker that made him choose Liverpool over Everton and Tottenham.
Wijnaldum has been subject to the rumour mills this summer and has been linked to several clubs this transfer window, with Everton and Tottenham showing serious intent. However, the Dutchman joined Liverpool recently and has explained his reasons behind him ditching the aforementioned clubs. Liverpool spent £25 million on the Netherlands international to bring him from Newcastle United, acquiring his signature on a five-year deal at Anfield.
Read: Liverpool sign Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle United for £25 million
"He made me feel really good straight away," said Wijnaldum.
"He gave me a lot of confidence, he told me he liked my way of playing football and that he wanted to have me in his squad.
"He is a great trainer. He showed what he could do at Dortmund and it lifted me to hear that he wanted me.
"Straight after the conversation I had with him, I made my mind up.
"I had a feeling that I wanted to join Liverpool. They are a big club, with a big history. I know that, everybody knows that but the feelings have to match.
"I was waiting to see what interest Everton showed in me but Liverpool's interest was greater. Jurgen gave me a good feeling in the conversations I had with him, so my mind was made up."
Read also: 10 reasons why I love Liverpool FC
Furthermore, Wijnaldum revealed that Rafael Benitez had a strong desire to keep him at Newcastle United. Wijnaldum joined the Magpies last season and went on to become the club’s top goalscorer in the Premier League. He scored 11 goals in 38 appearances but it wasn’t enough to save the club from relegation. It seems the urge to play in an elite league kept him from staying at St James’ Park, which the midfielder says wasn’t a hassle as Benitez supported him and ensured a smooth transaction.
"Rafa just said that Liverpool is a big club," Wijnaldum said. "The biggest thing he said was that he wanted to keep me for Newcastle.
"He didn't want to sell me but he said that if a great offer came in they would think about it. He wanted to keep me there.
"He didn't say: 'You need to go to Liverpool' because he wanted me to stay at Newcastle."
His biggest moment last season came when he scored four goals against Norwich City, becoming only the second Newcastle player to score more than three goals in a Premier League game.
Georginio Wijnaldum has already started training with the Reds during their pre-season tour in Palo Alto, California. He’s begun settling in with his new team-mates as he looks forward to the start of 2016-17 Premier League season, which will be Jurgen Klopp’s first full season in charge of the Reds.
