GINI WIJNALDUM never walked alone on the journey that took him to Anfield.
His grandmother held his hand almost every step of the way.
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Forty five minute treks to early morning training through the streets of Rotterdam formed the bond that helped shoot him to stardom.
Now Wijnaldum, 26, is part of an even bigger family surrounded by his team mates and The Kop.
But it was those walks with gran Francina Mayland and the advice she gave him for years that he says makes him the all – out competitor that he is.
The £25million summer arrival from Newcastle reveals how he owes so much to the wisdom of Francina.
Even at the age of 82, she is now a regular visitor to Merseyside – and she still gets pride of place, the midfielder declaring : “She was always a great support to be.
“When I was five my mother wanted to leave for another city – Rotterdam to Amsterdam – because she had to work.
“But I didn’t want to leave the place that I grew up and after a few times of asking my mum, she agreed to let me stay because I would be also with my cousins and aunts.
“So I stayed with my grandma from age 5 to 18 and she took me to football school, she took care of me.”
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Wijnaldum signed for Sparta Rotterdam as a six year old and he says : “We were not poor, but not rich.
“We didn’t have a car so we travelled by subway.
“ But there were times when we had to be at training at 7am and it was too early for the subway so she would walk with me.
“Although she was old, she was still fit. It was a 45-minute walk to training but she would walk with me, even in the winter.
“She never let me go alone. She was always by my side supporting me.
“The most important thing she told me is that I should always do my best so when I look back later in my career that I do not have regrets.
“She is still looking out for me now. She has been over a few times.
“And if she is not at my games she watches on television and she was even here with my mother and brother when I signed and had my medical.”
Wijnaldum moved onto to Feynoord where he became the youngest ever player, then PSV Eindhoven before a £14.5m switch to The Toon.
But he believes that in Liverpool he has found a town he can call home, saying : “I believe that his place is a perfect match for me.
“I spoke to Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham before signing here but once I had discussions with Jurgen Klopp I knew I was going to the right place.”
The 36-cap Dutchman faces West Ham on Sunday determined to make up for the mistakes of last week’s collapse at Bournemouth.
He said: “The manager was telling us when we were 3 – 1 up that we were being too relaxed and we paid for it.
“We know we did bad in certain things. We have to make sure we get back to doing all the right things against West Ham.”
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