The Liverpool squad have spent this past week in the sunshine with Jurgen Klopp looking to prepare his players for the test that lies ahead.
The Reds have enjoyed a remarkable season so far with just one defeat to their name and a genuine chance of claiming their first Premier League title within their grasp.
The race for the title is likely to go down to the wire with Man City and with Bayern Munich also on the agenda next week in the Champions League, it is fair to say that the club are entering a period which could define the club for many years to come.
The plaudits have rightly come thick and fast for key players like Alisson, Virgil Van Dijk and Mo Salah and there is no doubt that those three have been crucial to the campaign of brilliance up to this point.
Van Dijk and Alisson have ensured that Liverpool have the best defence in the Premier League, while Salah remains the key man in front of goal with 17 to his name in the league so far.
In recent weeks though we have seen Georginio Wijnaldum also emerge as a potentially vital cog in the Liverpool wheel with the Dutchman once again proving to have a stellar season. The former Newcastle player perhaps doesn't attract the attention that his illustrious team-mates do but his play in the middle of the park is proving to be just as important as those lofty names
Wijnaldum once again proved his worth against Bournemouth last weekend as he scored a wonderful goal to top off a crucial display as the Cherries were taken down 3-0. The 28-year-old isn't about flashy moments of skill though, he is the metronome in the middle of the field that keeps the ball moving forward and against deep sitting teams that is vital.
With Naby Keita still struggling slightly, the Liverpool midfield has been a slightly stodgy area of the pitch at times this season but Wijnaldum is improving with every game and must be one of the first names on the team-sheet.
Jurgen Klopp clearly loves players that take his instructions on board to the letter and the Dutch midfielder certainly seems to fit into that bracket, he is just as effective in defence as he is going forward and must be the perfect team-mate.
Wijnaldum won't grab the headlines if Liverpool do win the Premier League but his work isn't going un-noticed by the fans at Anfield and there is a growing feeling that he needs to remain fit and in the ream if this squad is going to make history.
