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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Marcus Banks

Gary Neville sends warning to Liverpool over Gini Wijnaldum transfer exit

Gary Neville believes Liverpool will miss Gini Wijnaldum next season after the midfielder departed on a free transfer.

Speculation over Wijnaldum's future raged on throughout the season after the midfielder entered the last 12 months of his deal at Anfield.

Liverpool players and staff gave Wijnaldum a guard of honour during the final game of the season against Crystal Palace before a decision over his future was confirmed.

Jurgen Klopp expressed his disappointment over losing one of his most reliable players who later confirmed he would join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after weeks of negotiations with Barcelona.

Wijnaldum captains Holland at Euro 2020 before linking up with his new teammates in Paris and Neville believes he will be difficult to replace on Merseyside.

"Unsung hero," Neville told ITV Sport.

"Liverpool have got so many great players and he very rarely gets a mention.

"But I think he'll be missed badly next season

"It's going to be very difficult to replace him at Liverpool.

"He's one of those players that keeps things ticking, you don't look at him and think he does anything outstandingly well, but I would imagine his teammates respect him enormously because he covers a lot of areas on the pitch.

"He does things simply for his teammates, he's an unselfish player and he's an important player for this Dutch team."

Wijnaldum seemed destined to join former Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman at Barcelona but ultimately agreed a move to PSG at the last minute.

The midfielder admitted his move to the Nou Camp collapsed due to the length of negotiations.

He said: "I actually negotiated with Barcelona for four weeks and we didn't get it.

"PSG was more decisive and the project they have there really appealed to me.

"Yes, I admit I’m going to make more money in Paris, but my choice has nothing to do with the money.

"I have to say that I also thought I would go to Barca, the only club I'd been interested in for a long time."

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