Georginio Wijnaldum scored in Roma's 3-0 victory against Sampdoria on Sunday night to show Jurgen Klopp what he's missing.
Wijnaldum, 32, left Liverpool for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in the summer of 2021. Klopp's midfield has arguably never been the same since, with the Reds sitting eighth in the Premier League table - eight points behind Manchester United in fourth.
Wijnaldum joined Roma on loan last summer and has spent most of the campaign in the treatment room after suffering a broken leg. Yet the Netherlands international is fit again and inspired Jose Mourinho's side to a much-needed win on Sunday night.
Roma's victory against Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico leaves them fifth in Serie A, level on points with Inter Milan in fourth. Paulo Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy also found the net, as Sampdoria defender Jeison Murillo was sent off when the game was goalless.
Wijnaldum was an indispensable member of Klopp's squad during his five-year spell at Liverpool. The Dutchman, who was signed from Newcastle, missed just 11 Premier League games during that time, featuring in all 38 league outings during his final season.
"He is the perfect midfielder," said Klopp in 2019. "He has all the things you need: both directions, small spaces, big spaces, hard challenges, fine football, all of that. Gini is a good personality in the dressing room. He is not the guy who says yes to everything."
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Liverpool coped without Wijnaldum last year, as they won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. They also finished one point behind Manchester City in the title race and reached the Champions League final, where they lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in Paris.
This season has been a completely different story, however. Liverpool failed to go far in the FA Cup, Champions League and Carabao Cup, while their Premier League form remains indifferent. Many critics have pinned this on their ageing midfield.
Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho are all at the latter stages of their respective careers, while Naby Keita and James Milner are out of contract at the end of the season. Although Wijnaldum is 32, he remains as dynamic and consistent as ever.
Klopp failed to re-sign Wijnaldum when he was deemed surplus to requirements by PSG, as he joined Roma instead and suffered a broken leg just 12 minutes into his Serie A debut. He returned to fitness in February and has featured in every game since.
Tony Cascarino criticised Liverpool for allowing Wijnaldum to leave. The talkSPORT pundit said in 2022, "The big miss for Liverpool is Gini Wijnaldum, who left a big hole when he went to PSG. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Thiago do not do the same job."
Wijnaldum will not be too concerned about Liverpool, though, as he targets European success with Roma. Mourinho's side will take on Feyenoord in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with the likes of Sevilla, Juventus and Man Utd still involved.
