New PSG midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has opened up on the factors that led to his departure from Liverpool this summer.
Georginio Wijnaldum has suggested a lack of appreciation from Fenway Sports Group ownership and Liverpool’s social media followers was a factor behind his exit.
The Netherlands international ended a five-year spell at Anfield once his contract expired this summer. He almost joined Barcelona before a late u-turn led him to Paris Saint-Germain.
Wijnaldum’s decision to leave Liverpool was no secret. It had been clear the 30-year-old would leave as a free agent for some time. But while not ideal, Jurgen Klopp continued to rely on him until the very end. The Reds boss even selected him as captain for five of the club’s last six league games last season.
After Wijnaldum’s last match as a Liverpool player against Crystal Palace, the players formed a guard of honor and presented him with a celebratory plaque.
Yet it wasn’t always so rosy. Wijnaldum didn’t feel the same support from the club’s owners, FSG, or the fans on social media.
“Well, yeah, there was a moment I didn’t feel loved and appreciated,” he said on The Telegraph.
“Not my teammates, not the people at Melwood [training ground]. From them I know, I can say they all love me and I love them.
“It was not from that side. More on the other side. There was a moment that I didn’t feel appreciated and loved and I have to say also there was social media.”
Wijnaldum continued: “In the stadium, I can say nothing bad about them. They always supported me.
“And even when they came back, already knowing that I was going to leave, they still supported me and they gave me a great farewell.
“On social media, if we lost I was the one who got the blame. There would be moments when I was like ‘Wow, if they only knew what I was doing to stay fit and play every game’.”
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