Jurgen Klopp has revealed Georginio Wijnaldum is ­Liverpool’s perfect midfielder.

And, even though the confident Dutch star will speak his mind when he feels the need, Klopp wouldn’t have it any other way.

Wijnaldum, 28, is one of the first names on Liverpool ’s team sheet, often flying under the radar while stars like Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk grab the ­headlines.

But as Klopp faces Tottenham today for the first time since ­beating them in the Champions League final in Madrid last May, he knows Wijnaldum’s energy, ­experience and quality are vital to Liverpool’s hopes of winning their first League title in 30 years.

“Gini speaks on the pitch for the way he plays. It’s just so obvious his importance,” said Klopp.

(Image: PA)

“And it is in both directions – in attack and defence, small spaces, big spaces, it is hard challenges, fine football, pretty much all of that”

“Is he the perfect midfielder? Yes, from the skill-set, 100 per cent. He has all that you need.

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“There was his header against Barcelona too. He is not the ­tallest, but he is good in the air.

“He is a good jumper with good timing, all that stuff. It all makes him a pretty good footballer.

“That is how it should be. It is not my fault if he goes under the radar. You cannot ask me why he goes under the radar. I don’t set the radar!"

(Image: REUTERS)

Wijnaldum is on record saying he has a love-hate relationship with the German and sometimes his anger boils over with Klopp’s continual search for perfection.

And nothing sums up their relationship better than last season’s 4-3 ­Champions League ­semi-final win against Barcelona at ­Anfield.

Wijnaldum has ­admitted he was furious with Klopp for leaving him on the bench that night. But, after coming on at half-time, the Dutchman channelled his anger the right way to score two goals in as many minutes to help ­Liverpool catapult Klopp’s stars to the final against today’s opponents ­Tottenham.

Klopp said: “Don’t worry, he is a ­personality in the dressing room. He is not the guy who says yes to everything.

(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“He’s not really knocking on my door, but, just like any other human being, if there are things he doesn’t like, it’s normal.

“Character is what makes you the person you are and sometimes it stops them going a bit further.

“I don’t mind players knocking on my door, but it shouldn’t ­happen too often. It is more about the information. If my information is correct, then hopefully they will accept it rather than making it a more personal thing.

“The perfect reaction was when I didn’t start him against ­Barcelona at home – and he came on and scored twice.

“I said to him, ‘You scored twice!’ He replied, ‘Yes, but that’s because you didn’t let me out from the start’. I said, ‘So, who is right now?”

Klopp has watched the full replay of ­Liverpool’s 2-0 Madrid win twice – and he knows revenge could be on Spurs’ agenda as they arrive at Anfield today after a poor start.

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“They can’t change what ­happened in the final, but they can use that and that will not be helpful for us,” added Klopp.

“They have quality and are in a situation they don’t want to be in.”