Liverpool ace Georginio Wijnaldum reveals how violent stomach bug almost wrecked his season
Dutchman was struck down with the severe illness that led to him missing games against West Ham, Newcastle and Porto
GINI WIJNALDUM has revealed how a violent stomach bug almost wrecked his season.
The Dutch midfielder has played 38 times this term to help Jurgen Klopp's side go third in the Premier League and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
But the £23million buy from Newcastle was KO'd by a severe illness, and missed games against West Ham, Newcastle and Porto.
He returned to the Reds' starting lineup in Saturday's 5-0 win over Watford.
Wijnaldum is now part of the Holland squad set to face England in Friday night's friendly.
The 27-year-old said: "I was struck down by a violent infection, and lost weight very quickly. I woke up one night with diarrhoea.
"I phoned Liverpool's doctor the next morning, and he asked me to come in to the club.
"Once I arrived I had another bout of stomach ache, and the doctor sent me home straight away. He was afraid I would infect the other players.
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"I hoped the problem would go in a day or two, but it lasted for two weeks.
"I had a blood sample taken after five days, but that didn't reveal what the problem was.
"It was only after they took a stool sample that they realised I had a bug.
"They put me on antibiotics, but that only made me feel worse - although things then got better.
"I just need to get back to working on my fitness. I have trained hard, but noticed on Saturday that I'm not yet in the rhythm for the way I want to play.
"Things are improving. But I am not yet as fit as I was before I got ill."