Georginio Wijnaldum wears tape on injured knee in Liverpool win

Georginio Wijnaldum’s return to the Liverpool starting XI brought an end to the run of two successive draws for Jurgen Klopp‘s side.

Doubts had begun to creep in about Liverpool’s staying power at the top of the Premier League, but they were dismissed in emphatic style at Anfield.

It appears the Dutchman, who fell ill in the buildup to the game, played through the pain barrier at Anfield on Saturday.

Georginio Wijnaldum lifts the ball over Artur Boruc to score Liverpool’s second goal

The Dutch midfielder celebrates finding the back of the net on his return to the side

The 28-year-old wore strapping on his right knee, though it did not prevent him scoring the crucial second, an impudent chip over Artur Boruc in the first-half.

The material on his knee appeared to be Kinesio tape, which is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints. The tape is often worn by the likes of Dele Alli during matches. 

Wijnaldum has been nursing an ongoing knee issue and has missed two of Liverpool’s last four games, including the 1-1 draw at West Ham last week.

He defied a sore knee and diarrhoea having been kept away from his team-mates at the hotel on Friday night to deliver a man-of-the-match performance.

Wijnaldum was seen wearing strapping on his injured knee after missing two of last four games

The 28-year-old’s return to the side brought Liverpool a win after back-to-back draws

Klopp said after the 3-0 win: ‘He had pretty much everything you don’t want to have for two nights before a match. Then he said after a couple of hours sleep, I feel good, I can play.

‘We are where we are because of the mentality of the boys. I was only concerned after Gini scored when everybody gave him a hug!’

James Milner added: ‘He was nowhere to be seen on Friday. Then he produces a performance like that.’