Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Georginio Wijnaldum knew he had to join Liverpool when they came calling(Image: 2016 Liverpool FC)

One player who might sympathise with Alexander Isak's efforts to secure a move from Newcastle to Liverpool is Anfield icon Georginio Wijnaldum.

The Dutch midfielder, currently at Al-Ettifaq, was snapped up by the Reds for £25m after Newcastle's relegation in 2016.

He became instrumental in Liverpool's triumphs in the following seasons as Liverpool lifted the Premier League and Champions League - trophies Isak undoubtedly hopes to win too.



Unsurprisingly, Wijnaldum had no regrets over joining Jurgen Klopp’s side, but remained grateful for the role Newcastle played in his development and insisted he did not force a move away.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo before his 2017 return to face his former club, Wijnaldum said: “I remember my last game for Newcastle in the pre-season when their fans were singing that they wanted me to stay.

Article continues belowAlexander Isak could follow in Gini Wijnaldum's footsteps(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

"But when the opportunity came to play for a great club like Liverpool with such a great history I had to take it.

When Liverpool came in for me I made up my mind that I wanted to come here, but I wasn’t going to force it because I appreciated what Newcastle and their fans did for me.”

He continued: “It’s always a special game when you play against your previous club.

I met some great people who helped me to play good games in the Premier League and it was because of them I got the move to Liverpool.”

Gini Wijnaldum celebrates for Newcastle(Image: Getty)

Despite his positive comments about his year-long spell on Tyneside and claiming he had not agitated for a transfer, unlike Isak who is deemed to have done so, the 34-year-old was accused of lacking fight and commitment before jumping ship by the Newcastle fans.

Isak, in comparison, has made a significant impact in his three-year stint with Newcastle, emerging as one of the Premier League's top players and scoring a goal in the Carabao Cup final to break their long-standing trophy drought.

In his first match back on Tyneside, Wijnaldum hit the post but failed to make an impact in front of a raucous home crowd, who booed him whenever the two clubs clashed in later matches.

Wijnaldum made 237 appearances for Liverpool, netting 22 goals, including a memorable brace against Barcelona in the 2018/19 Champions League semi-final second leg, which inspired Liverpool to a 4–3 aggregate victory.

Article continues below

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.

Learn more

£43

£35

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.


For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.