EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Wijnaldum Will Regret Leaving Liverpool – Former Reds’ Star Babel

About Football Express India - Indian Super League - I-League

Former Liverpool man Ryan Babel has warned Gini Wijnaldum, the forward revealed that leaving the Reds was his ‘biggest regret’.

Wijnaldum has less than six months to go on his current contract with the Reds and has reportedly failed to agree on fresh terms with the club.

He is now open to sign a pre-contract agreement with the club’s around Europe, with potential interest from La Liga giants Barcelona.

THE WARNING FROM BABEL TO WIJNALDUM:

Babel spent four years in Liverpool after scoring 22 goals in 146 games in the summer of 2007 before moving to TSG Hoffenheim in Germany.

The former Liverpool player has drawn from his own experiences on Merseyside to advise his fellow countryman over his next move, admitting that the grass wasn’t greener for him after his Liverpool departure in 2011.

“I spent almost four years at ­Liverpool under Rafa Benitez and Kenny Dalglish. When I left to play in Germany. Where TSG ­Hoffenheim had become a big force, it was the ­biggest regret of my career.

Reminiscing on the good memories he has of his time at Anfield he added:

“I loved every ­minute I was at Liverpool.­Fortunately, Dirk Kuyt was at Liverpool and he was a massive support to me. As a Liverpool player, you are always in the spotlight. The club is massive.

“Scoring the winning goal against Manchester United at Anfield was the highlight of my time.”

– Ryan Babel

Since arriving in 2016 with a £25 million move from Newcastle, Wijnaldum has played a pivotal role for a team that has reached two Champions League finals –won one of them.

He was also instrumental in putting an end to Liverpool’s 30-year wait for a Premier League title.

Wijnaldum has been central to Jürgen Klopp, scoring 20 goals in 209 games.

However, Liverpool midfield is becoming an increasingly crowded field not only because of the arrival of Thiago but also because of the advent of Curtis Jones.

As a result, Wijnaldum could be prone to ignoring the advice of his Dutch teammate and moving abroad this year.

Barcelona appear to be leading the way on a deal with Wijnaldum should they decide to leave the Premier League champions in the January transfer window.

To Top