Underrated Players To Watch Out For In The Champions League Final!

#2 Georgino Wijnaldum (Liverpool Midfielder)

Can Wijnaldum be the dark horse to lead Liverpool over the line?

Like the other players on this list, Wijnaldum too, operates without the media attention enjoyed by team-mates such as Sadio Mane amnd fellow midfielder Adam Lallana. While Lallana has all it takes to make the list, he is coming off a lengthy injury absence and to discuss the potential impact that he can have would be mere speculation.

Wijnaldum, meanwhile, provides a solid option to Liverpool in providing depth and potency to an already burgeoning Liverpool attack. Perhaps the greatest measure of the impact that he can have is illustrated by his debut for Liverpool F.C. In 80 minutes of game time, Wijnaldum hit the ground running and laid on an assist for Adam Lallana. At a time when Liverpool counted on Philippe Coutinho among their ranks, when none of the fearsome front could deliver in front of goal, Wijnaldum showed again that he could be a game-changer by claiming the winning goal against Manchester City.

Even in the final, despite Salah being in monstrous form, Wijnaldum can always be counted on to make an impact in the game by laying and assist or scoring directly. His contributions should not be measured solely by his goals though. Georgino Wijnaldum is a big reason behind the success of Liverpool's attack because of his pressing abilities. His tireless pursuit off the ball frees up space and gives Firmino the option to express himself freely in central attack. In fact, suppressing Wijnaldum may actually be key for Real in tiring Firmino out and engaging him in non-offensive duties.

Wijnaldum is also a very versatile player in midfield. He can play centrally as well as in the far out positions. This makes him a threat that Madrid have to focus on. Man marking him is not an option because he can switch positions mid game and operate just as well from a wing position as he can centrally. Moreover, he can be used as an additional source of crosses into the box against Real in the inevitable eventuality that Mane/Salah are heavilty guarded.

The threats posed by Wijnaldum are many, however, when compared to the raw contributions of Mane, Firmino and Salah, he take antecedence. Liverpool would be wise to capitalize on this underrated attacking option and come final day, could well use the many talents of Georgino Wijnaldum to catch Real Madrid off-guard.