Georginio Wijnaldum snubbed Everton to join Liverpool

Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed that he rejected a potential move to Everton in order to join their Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

The Dutchman signed a five-year contract with the Reds on Friday, completing a reported £25m move.

Last season, Wijnaldum attracted Liverpool's interest after scoring 11 goals in 38 appearances for Newcastle United, who were relegated to the Championship.

Other Premier League clubs, including Everton, were keen, but Wijnaldum has revealed that Jurgen Klopp convinced him to move to Anfield.

"He made me feel really good straight away," Wijnaldum told reporters. "He gave me a lot of confidence, he told me he liked my way of playing football and that he wanted to have me in his squad.

"He is a great trainer. He showed what he could do at Dortmund and it lifted me to hear that he wanted me. Straight after the conversation I had with him, I made my mind up. I had a feeling that I wanted to join Liverpool. They are a big club, with a big history. I know that, everybody knows that but the feelings have to match.

"I was waiting to see what interest Everton showed in me but Liverpool's interest was greater. Jurgen gave me a good feeling in the conversations I had with him, so my mind was made up."

Wijnaldum spent a single season at Newcastle following a £14.5m move from PSV Eindhoven.