Which Premier League star has been tipped as the perfect replacement for Wijnaldum at Liverpool?

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 3 min read

BBC pundit Garth Crooks believes Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse would be the perfect replacement for Gini Wijnaldum at Liverpool.

Wijnaldum’s contract runs out at the end of the current season, and there have been no recent updates on negotiations which suggest he will sign an extended deal with the defending Premier League champions.

Should he leave, FootballTransfers previously detailed some of the candidates to replace him in the Liverpool midfield.

However a left field suggestion has been made by Crooks, who has tipped Ward-Prowse to move on to bigger things from Southampton.

“This lad has been unfortunate not to appear in my team more often this season. I am convinced Southampton would be in serious trouble were it not for James Ward-Prowse,” Crooks said in his Team of the Week column for BBC Sport.

“We know he can take a free-kick and that he is capable of covering the ground, but he also has a superb temperament. The Saints had no-one better to take their penalty under their current circumstances. His contribution against Sheffield United thereafter was immense.

“It’s clear Georginio Wijnaldum is almost certain to leave Liverpool at the end of the season for Barcelona. I can’t think of a better replacement than Ward-Prowse.”

What would Ward-Prowse bring to Liverpool?

Though there is no concrete evidence to suggest Liverpool are looking at Ward-Prowse as of yet, he would present an interesting option for Jurgen Klopp should the German decide he has attributes that would be welcomed at the club.

Naturally, Ward-Prowse’s best talent lies with his set-piece and crossing deliveries, with Trent-Alexander-Arnold currently holding the majority of the responsibility for corners and free-kicks at Anfield at the moment.

Ward-Prowse has contributed an impressive six goals and five assists in 27 starts in the Premier League this season, and also averages 6.2 completed crosses into the box per game.

Alexander-Arnold, although a full-back, has one goal and three assists to his name, but completes 9.2 crosses per game.

Though Ward-Prowse is not a similar player to Wijnaldum, who is more dynamic in his pressing and his covering of the pitch, he would provide something different in the midfield area and has proven over the past couple of years he can be relied upon for a handful of goal contributions.