Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed how he played through illness in Liverpool’s win over Bournemouth.
Wijnaldum enjoyed a starring role and scored in the Reds’ 3-0 victory after missing their draw with West Ham five days earlier with a knee injury.
The Holland international was a late inclusion in Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up on the morning of the Anfield encounter after missing training through illness.
But Wijnaldum admits that the end of the first half against the Cherries was an uncomfortable experience due to a stomach problem.
He said: “On Thursday night, I had a tablet from the doctor for my knee.
“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.
“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 asked if I could play. I said I was as positive as I can be. In the morning I was still weak and had diarrhoea.
“The tablets helped a lot but even at half-time I had to run off quickly to get to the toilet. At half-time I thought, ‘Oh no’ but I ran inside and managed to control it!”
Manchester City’s resounding 6-0 thrashing of Chelsea allowed them to displace Liverpool in the Premier League’s top spot despite playing a game more.
But Wijnaldum believes that that Klopp’s side cannot fixate on the reigning champions’ results as they attempt to take the title race down to the wire.
“It’s difficult but we already knew from the beginning that it was going to be difficult,” admitted the midfielder.
“I think we have to look at ourselves, not at City, because we can’t control their performances or the results.
“What we have to do is just give every game everything and in the end we will see.”