‘Wijnaldum always performs when it matters’ – Three things learnt from Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough

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After a nervy start to the game, Liverpool ran out comfortable winners against already-relegated Middlesbrough to take the three points on the final day of the Premier League season.

It hasn’t been easy for the Reds, but they have dug deep in recent weeks to see off the late challenge from Arsenal and they will return to the Champions League next season.

This shows progression at Anfield and underlines the impressive job that Jurgen Klopp has done since taking over. The next objective will be to win a trophy and challenge for the Premier League title, but for now, they will enjoy their top-four finish.

Here are three things that we learnt from Sunday’s match-up at Anfield…

Liverpool will be competing with Europe’s best next season

Although the top four shouldn’t be viewed as being equal to a trophy, it is getting more and more difficult to achieve in the Premier League. Last season, 66 points was good enough to secure a top-four finish, but this has been a better season and Arsenal have missed out with 75 points. Jurgen Klopp will have bigger ambitions for the club and the allure of Champions League football will help him take the club further.

The secret to Liverpool’s success has been the team’s impressive record against the rest of the top six and that should give the supporters confidence that they can compete in the Champions League. The famous nights of Champions League knockout round matches should return to Anfield under Klopp and it will be fascinating to see how his team does next season. The next step will be to consolidate themselves in the top four and to achieve that, the German will know that he needs to strengthen the squad further this summer.

Middlesbrough played their part and made it difficult for Liverpool

The scoreline suggests that this was a routine win for Liverpool, but that doesn’t tell the full story as Middlesbrough were stubborn in the first-half and unlucky to go in behind at the interval. The goal came at an important time for the home side as the nerves were beginning to build before Gini Wijnaldum slammed the ball past Brad Guzan just before half-time. Despite coming into this match with their fate already sealed, Boro competed well and could have been given a penalty if Dejan Lovren was penalised for a heavy-handed challenge on Patrick Bamford.

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There will be a summer rebuilding job at the Riverside Stadium for whoever is appointed as the team’s new manager. They have a good core of Championship proven players and now have increased finances, which should allow them to go into next season as one of the favourites to win the division. Their lack of goals during this campaign have been a problem and they must address that over the summer.

Gini Wijnaldum always performs when it matters

The Dutchman is finishing the season with six goals and nine assists to his name, which is a great return for someone playing in central midfield. He played a more advanced role at Newcastle, but he has immediately fitted in at Anfield and has rarely put a foot wrong for the Reds. In the big matches, he has been one of the side’s best players, finding the back of the net against Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal. Against Middlesbrough, the tension was starting to build within the stadium and it was the Dutchman that stood up to relieve the pressure. It was a huge moment and one that led to the side sealing a top-four finish.

It was a great performance throughout from the Dutchman and he will be delighted that he can test himself in the Champions League next season. Against Middlesbrough, he completed four key passes and ended the match with a pass success rate of 94%. His work rate is perfectly suited to Jurgen Klopp’s style of play and his influence on the team can’t be understated. Liverpool will be looking to improve their starting eleven over the summer, but Wijnaldum’s performances in big matches will mean that he should start next season in the team.

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