Wijnaldum explains Kornmayer goal celebration
Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed why he made a beeline for Andreas Kornmayer after netting Liverpool's second goal during last night's Champions League semi-final encounter with AS Roma.
The Dutchman all but confirmed the Reds' place in the tournament's final in Kiev on May 26 when he headed home from close range in the first half of a 4-2 defeat at Stadio Olimpico.
And he reacted by running straight toward the bench before embracing the club's head of fitness and conditioning while wearing a trademark grin.
Asked about the moment after the match, Wijnaldum said: "We already had an agreement a few games ago that I would run to him if I scored but it didn’t happen.
"He said a few times that I’d score but then he forgot. Then before Roma he said I would score, so I had to!"
Every angle: Relive Wijnaldum's header at Stadio Olimpico
Reigning champions Real Madrid are now the only team that can stop Jürgen Klopp's side from putting the club's sixth European Cup in the Anfield trophy cabinet.
Wijnaldum expects the game to provide the sternest test of his playing career thus far.
“It is probably the biggest test we could have had, the biggest I’ve had as a player,” the midfielder admitted.
“It’s going to be difficult, but for both clubs. Everyone in the Champions League has quality. We have to be aware of their quality but they have to be aware of ours. They are not the only team with quality or the only team that can win games
“The Champions League is the biggest competition you can play at club level so if you can go in your first season to the final it’s a great feeling. But then you want to win the final now, so you can’t relax.”