Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has highlighted the importance of the role that Georginio Wijnaldum fulfils at the Merseyside-based outfit, describing him as the ‘link man.’

The Netherlands international has formed an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s side in his second season in the Premier League, having notched up 31 appearances in the league thus far, while also netting five goals.

Can spoke of his admiration for the defensive-midfielder, and suggested that the 26-year-old deserves more plaudits for his contribution to the team.

‘He’s a very, very important player for us, because he is the link man,’ he told Liverpool’s official website.

‘He is doing it very well. He’s strong as well, a very strong guy. He can play, he is a very good footballer, but defensively he is working very well [too].

‘He has done brilliantly for us so far this season. He has played very well. He is not ‘eye-catching’ sometimes, but he is doing the dirty work for us. He is a very important player.’

The former Bayer Leverkusen man also raved about the talent of academy graduate,  Trent Alexander-Arnold.

‘He is a very, very good guy.

‘I like his character, because when you are young you have to work hard, you have to get your head down – and he is doing that, as are the other guys as well.

‘He is training very well and when he comes onto the pitch and gets his chance, he is there,’ Can concluded.

Liverpool face Crystal Palace in a Premier League encounter on Sunday 23 April with kickoff set for 17:00.

Photo: EPA/Peter Powell