Gini Wijnaldum has hailed the team ethic of new signings Mohamed Salah and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as they continue to bed in at Liverpool.
The duo were two of Liverpool’s most high-profile purchases of the summer, as Jurgen Klopp added more depth in attacking areas.
We all knew that Salah’s pace was a key attribute, but five goals in eight appearances and a superb attitude have seen him become an immediate hit.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has only managed three cameo roles thus far, but he has every chance of starting against Leicester City in the League Cup on Tuesday, potentially in place of the rested Salah.
Wijnaldum could only speak positively about the pair, singling out their teamwork on and off the pitch as crucial reasons for them being such good signings.
“[He brings] a lot of pace and speed! He is technical,” Wijnaldum told LiverpoolFC.com, when discussing Salah.
“He is not only a guy who scores goals but is also a team player, trying to defend with the team and trying to let other players score.
“He’s a great signing for Liverpool and he is also a good person.
“He has settled in really quick because he is a person who socialises with other players and loves to speak with other players, which makes it easier for him and for us to accept him.”
On Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Dutchman said: “The same as Mo—he is also really fast. He is a good team player, a player who can play in different positions.
“That makes it easier for the manager and for us as a team; if something happens in a game you have a few players who can play more positions. That can help us as a team.”
Wijnaldum also touched upon the battle for regular starts within the squad, saying strong competition can only be a good thing.
“It helps me to be a better player because if you train with better players and play with better players, it automatically makes you a better player,” he added.
“That helps me personally but also the team. We have to realise we are playing for Liverpool, a big club and a club that will always sign big players and good players.
“You’ll always have to compete for your space but you have to be happy that you have to compete, because that means you have a good squad and play for a good team.”
For the first time in years, Liverpool have genuine depth in midfield and attack—it’s a shame about the defence—with Klopp able to make several changes and still field a strong unit.
He made seven alterations for the weekend clash with Burnley, and more changes should be expected at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.
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