Georginio Wijnaldum is relishing the stiff competition for a starting berth in Liverpool's midfield this season.

The return to fitness of captain Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho's new deeper position have boosted Jürgen Klopp's options in the centre of the park ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

Even the absence of Adam Lallana in the opening months of the season has been mitigated by the boss' revelation that he would consider deploying James Milner as a midfielder once again.

With Emre Can also looking sharp as the start of the season nears, Wijnaldum has plenty of work to do to earn a place in the starting XI.

But he believes that can only be a good thing for the Reds.

"For me, it's nothing new to be in competition with other players for a place in midfield or in the team," he told Liverpoolfc.com.

"A club like Liverpool, it's a big club that's always going to sign good players, so you have to make sure you do better than your teammate.

"In the end, you play so many games that everyone will play. The most important thing is that when you play, you do your best and give everything."