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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Key Liverpool key man singled out by Bayern Munich star ahead of Champions League crunch clash

Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry says the German side must focus not on stopping Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane on Roberto Firmino across their Champions League tie with Liverpool, but Georginio Wijnaldum.

The former Arsenal man returns to England a completely different player to the one who left north London in 2016 looking like a talent wasted.

The 23-year-old has become a key part of Nico Kovac’s Bayern side this season and, while the German giants have been disappointing domestically this term, he appears a silver lining and a long-term option to replace outgoing stars Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery.

Bayern travel to Anfield for the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday night and Gnabry has hailed Wijnaldum as the man who makes Jurgen Klopp’s side tick.

Asked to name Liverpool’s key player, Gnabry told DAZN: "Georginio Wijnaldum. When I watch Liverpool games, he's everywhere.

Liverpool v Bayern Munich Champions League match preview

“He works in the background, bridging the spaces between defence and midfield and has a very large impact on the Liverpool game."

The Dutchman has been in fine form for Liverpool this season, starting every Champions League game as well as 21 Premier League matches, scoring twice in all competitions.

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