Gini Wijnaldum recognises the need for Liverpool to win from the off

Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum knows that The Reds must start their Premier League season off with a win on Friday against Norwich City.

For a second consecutive campaign, it looks like Jurgen Klopp’s side will be the main challengers to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City title-winning team.

Liverpool accumulated a record 97 points last season but still had to watch on as City lifted the title on the final day with 98 points.

City managed 100 points in 2017/18 and 98 points last May – meaning its likely Liverpool will have to once again break their record points-total if they are to overcome Guardiola and co to lift the league title.

The Dutch midfielder missed the only penalty in last Sunday’s Community Shield defeat to Manchester City and he will be looking to put that behind him come Friday night.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Wijnaldum acknowledged the need for his side to start picking up maximum points right from the off.

“You just have to collect as much points as possible, especially in the beginning, and try to build a team who will be even better at the end of the season.

“It was, of course, difficult to prepare a team because not all of the players were back at pre-season.

“That’s the situation we had to deal with and maybe next season will be the same, so we just made the best of it.

“Now everyone is back, we can build and try and do even better than last season. Basically, it starts now because now we have the whole team together.

“But the Premier League and all those other games don’t wait until you have your squad together, so we have to perform.

“We are really excited. We had a good pre-season, it was really hard and tough but we are looking forward to the Premier League.”

Sadio Mané returned to Melwood yesterday so Klopp now has his full squad at his disposal.

Anfield should be bouncing for the return of top-flight football on Friday night as the European champions welcome newly-promoted Norwich City to Merseyside.

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