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Gini Wijnaldum has revealed the crucial role Kenny Dalglish has played in helping him enjoy a successful first year at Liverpool.

The 26-year-old Dutchman was on the scoresheet last night as Holland moved to within three points of the top of their World Cup qualifying group with a 5-0 thrashing of bottom team Luxembourg.

The Liverpool midfielder struck just just after the hour mark with the third goal at the De Kuip in Rotterdam - his former home ground with Feyenoord - which marked the first match of Dick Advocaat's third stint in charge.

Arjen Robben, veteran midfielder Wesley Sneijder - making a record 131st international appearance on his 33rd birthday - Quincy Promes and Vincent Janssen were the other scorers.

Wijnaldum later tweeted: "Great win! A very good team performance and happy to score again. Well done @sneijder101010 to reach 131 caps".

(Image: JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images)

But, speaking before the game, he reflected on his first year at Anfield and the impact of Dalglish on helping in to settle in, with the Dutchman living close to the Reds' legend home in Birkdale.

"With (former Feyenoord coach) Wim Jansen I was able to talk for hours at Feyenoord. This season Wim has been with me in Liverpool. Those are nice moments," he told de Telegraaf.

"With other (Rotterdam coach) Wim (Van Hanegem) I could also talk well. At PSV I had that with (club legend, scout and ambassador) Willy van der Kuijlen and here it's grown soon with Kenny.

"On a typical day with Kenny, he takes me for lunch. We live close together and he tells me about the matches he has already seen me play at Feyenoord. About goals I made and about the things that appealed to him in my game. "

Wijnaldum scored the crucial opening goal in the final game of the season against Middlesbrough, as Liverpool overcame a nervous first half to take their place in the Champions League play-off with a 3-0 victory.

Those nerves in the stand were picked up by the players, Wijnaldum confirmed.

"You felt on the field that people lost their trust. It did not work out (by half-time) and the club was so excited for the Champions League.

(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

"In one shot, my fellow players also trusted. I just know what I can do and I always trust in the things I do. As with the Dutch team. I think we're going to the World Cup, even though the results have not been good."

Wijnaldum believes he has also enjoyed a very educational year under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

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"Klopp is also very close (to me), but I have an incredibly educational year behind me. Through this kind of football, such a trainer and in such a difficult competition as the Premier League, I further develop myself as a player. "

Wijnaldum this week signed a huge sponsorship deal with Adidas while in Holland, said to be the most lucrative in Dutch football history.

Agent Humphrey Nijman said: "The negotiations have lasted a year and a half, this is an unprecedented big contract.

"For a Dutch footballer, this is something never before experienced."