Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed how he played through illness - and potential embarrassment - to star in Liverpool's important win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
Wijnaldum had missed Liverpool's previous league match against West Ham because of a knee problem, and needed medication to ensure that he would be fit to face the Cherries, but a late illness threw his participation into doubt.
The Dutchman told Jurgen Klopp that he was well enough to play and then produced an excellent performance, including a classy finish for his second goal of the season as Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 victory.
"Thursday night I had a tablet from the doctor for my knee," said Wijnaldum, quoted by the Liverpool Echo. "It was a tablet that could induce stomach pains.
"I took it and I had a pain and thought it was from the tablet. In the end I was vomiting and everyone was a little bit scared.
This feeling.... #LFC #LiverpoolFC pic.twitter.com/egwmIeZQ4G
— Georginio Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) February 10, 2019
"I didn't train on Friday and I didn't sleep at the hotel either because they thought I might infect other players.
"The manager called me and said 'do you think you can play?'. I said I was as positive as I can. In the morning I was still weak and had diarrhoea I must say the tablets helped a lot.
"But even at half-time I had to run off to get to the toilet. I was like, 'Oh no!'. I ran inside and I managed to control it!"
The win temporarily saw Liverpool return to the top of the Premier League, although Manchester City's 6-0 thrashing of Chelsea on Sunday restored their lead on goal difference.
The Reds have a game in hand, but their next league outing is a daunting trip to face in-form Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Source : 90min