Georginio Wijnaldum reveals he almost missed Bournemouth game due to stomach bug

Gini Wijnaldum brought a new twist to the phrase ‘squeaky bum time’ as he revealed how close he was to missing Liverpool’s victory over Bournemouth.

The Holland international scored a superb goal in the 44th minute, lobbing goalkeeper from Artur Boruc from a close range, but 60 seconds later he had to race to the sanctuary of Liverpool’s dressing room with illness.

Wijnaldum had been ordered to stay away from Liverpool’s team hotel on Friday night to avoid passing on the bug that had laid him low on Thursday; he reported for duty on Saturday morning still not feeling well but Jurgen Klopp was satisfied that he was fit enough to play.

Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates after scoring Liverpool’s second goal against Bournemouth

Wijnaldum doubled his side’s lead midway through the first half of the Premier League game

‘On Thursday night I had a tablet from the doctor for my knee,’ said Wijnaldum. ‘It was a tablet that could induce stomach pains. I took it and I had a pain and thought it was from the tablet. In the end I was vomiting and everyone was a little bit scared.

‘I didn’t train on Friday and I didn’t sleep at the hotel either because they thought I might infect other players. The manager called me and said do you think you can play. I said I was as positive as I can. In the morning I was still week and had diarrhoea.

‘I must say the tablets helped a lot but even at half time I had to run off to get to the toilet. I was like: ‘Oh no!’ Still, it is always special to score goals and especially beautiful goals. It was good.’ 

It says everything for the form Wijnaldum has enjoyed this season that he was able to produce a Man-of-the-Match performance. He has missed games against Crystal Palace and West Ham recently and the club have been managing a knee condition.

The Dutchman shakes hands with Jurgen Klopp (left) after being substituted in the second half

‘It has been a bit painful,’ he said. ‘We played Leicester and it was good. Then we played West Ham and it was painful again. I rested again and it was good. Now we have to see how it recovers. We have ten days to the next game and it must be all right.’ 

Liverpool are heading into a crucial period with their next four games being Bayern Munich in the Champions League then Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford and Goodison Park sandwich a home date with Watford.

‘It is difficult but we already knew from the beginning that it would be difficult,’ said Wijnaldum. ‘I think we have to control our results and performances. We have to give everything in every game and in the end see where we are.