Wijnaldum: Frustrating and unlucky
Georginio Wijnaldum felt Liverpool deserved more than a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United but accepted it is on the players to increase their chance conversion.
The Reds were held to the second frustrating stalemate of the week in the Premier League clash at St James’ Park on Sunday, having taken the lead through a trademark Philippe Coutinho effort from distance.
Their advantage lasted fewer than 10 minutes, however, as Joselu broke clear and benefited from a fortunate bounce off Joel Matip’s attempted recovery challenge to see the ball hit the net.
Liverpool controlled possession but could not produce a winner, leaving Wijnaldum – who had hit the post at 0-0 – and his teammates frustrated with themselves.
“We didn’t score the chances we had and that makes it frustrating, because I think we deserved to win,” the midfielder told Liverpoolfc.com.
“We gave two chances away – one was the goal and the other was in the second half from a set-piece. We had clear chances, good opportunities to score a goal but unfortunately we didn’t take them.
“We are unlucky at this moment. But if we score the chances we have, those things [the Newcastle equaliser] can happen and at the end nobody will speak about it again.
“Now, because we didn’t score the chances we had and we conceded one where we were not concentrated enough, everyone will talk about the goal they scored.”
Liverpool do not play again for a fortnight due to the forthcoming international break, with Manchester United the visitors to Anfield when Premier League action resumes.
Asked how his side can go about sharpening up in front of goal in future, Wijnaldum added: “It’s difficult to say. People don’t miss on purpose – everyone is trying to score a goal.
“But we are not lucky now with the finishing. First of all, it’s good that you create that many chances but we have to make another step to score them.”