Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum admits he ‘fought back tears’ in final game for the club

Georginio WIjnaldum admitted he had to ‘fight back tears’ as he was given a guard of honour and presented with a framed pictured of Liverpool‘s Champions Wall of trophies after playing his last game for the club.

The Dutchman said an emotional goodbye after helping them defeat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Anfield to secure their place in next season’s Champions League.

Wijnaldum is leaving Liverpool on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer and is reported to have held ‘positive talks’ about joining Bayern Munich.

Georgino Wijnaldum said an emotional goodbye as he prepares to end five-year Liverpool stay

The midfielder was given a guard of honour on his final game for the club on Sunday

‘It’s really special. The fans have sung my name. Week-in, week-out they saw I was giving 100% to give everything for this club,’ he said after the Palace match.

‘That’s what the supporters want to see and that’s what they appreciate from me. It is something I’m going to miss.

‘I’m fighting against tears right now. The people in Liverpool have shown me love during the five years. I will miss them, you know.

‘I knew I went to a big club. I remember that I was sitting in the living room and the manager said when I come to Liverpool we would win prizes. I am happy it went that well. It would have been really painful to leave the club without any.

Wijnaldum admitted he had to fight back the tears after being given a send off by team-mates

Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to ‘wonderful player’ Wijnaldum ahead of his exit this summer

He waved goodbye to Liverpool fans after helping them secure Champions League football

‘We will see what I will do in the next couple of weeks. I will rest a little bit then go to the national team. I will have to look at my story and how everything went. The fans deserve to know the story behind it.’

Jurgen Klopp also paid tribute to Wijnaldum, who made 237 appearances for the club over his five-year stay at Anfield and leaves having won the Premier League, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup.

The Liverpool boss added: ‘A wonderful player. From the first moment it clicked. He is a very smart, open person. It is emotional for me, I lose a friend and we’ll miss him but it’s normal in football. He will find a great place for whichever club is interested.’