Why only me? – Wijnaldum hits back at away-day critics

Georginio Wijnaldum thinks it is unfair he is being criticised for his away form at Liverpool, just as he was at former club Newcastle United.

The Netherlands international was targeted after Liverpool’s loss to Leicester City, which was the fourth straight Premier League game Jurgen Klopp’s men have failed to win on the road.

Wijnaldum has impressed in recent home games against Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, while all 11 of his top-flight goals at Newcastle came at St James’ Park.

But he thinks his reputation for only producing his best performances at home is unwarranted and feels singled out for the away struggles of the whole team.

“That is people’s opinion,” he told reporters. “I think I also play good in away games – especially this season.

“It is funny, because last season we didn’t perform at a level as a whole team in away games for Newcastle but I was the only one who got the complaints.

“It is a team thing and no one can do it by themselves. People expect more from you than other players, but we have to be realistic.

“If a whole team doesn’t perform you cannot pick one player especially and say, ‘He doesn’t do this or do that’. It is a fault of the whole team if you don’t deliver.”

Wijnaldum, who joined Liverpool in a deal that could reportedly reach £25million last July after Newcastle’s relegation, is frustrated by his club’s lack of consistency against teams in the bottom half of the table.

“We must bring the same we bring against the bigger teams,” he said ahead of Sunday’s home match against Burnley.

“If you look at the difference games between the bigger and smaller teams the difference in concentration and being passive is big, that is my opinion.

“Of course you can never guarantee you will win but you have more chance if you play against the small teams like you play the big ones.

“We must have the same concentration we have now against the bigger teams otherwise it will be difficult.”