Liverpool's surprise transfer which was a sign of the future for Michael Edwards

Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards have proven to be a double dream in the transfer market – but that has not always been the case.

Upon Klopp's arrival, Edwards was a member of the much-maligned "Transfer Committee" and was struggling to exert his influence in Anfield.

All this changed when Klopp became Liverpool coach and the duo's relationship is such that Liverpool's transfer record in recent years is now almost flawless.

Indeed, fans no longer question the wisdom of the book signing sessions – a series of successes put an end to these successes.

Follow the latest news on transfers to Liverpool ICI because Nabil Fekir is getting closer to his surprise

It began in the summer of 2016, Klopp's premiere at Anfield, when Liverpool frowned on the signatures of Sadio Mane and, in particular, Gini Wijnaldum.

The Dutch international arrived at Melwood that day in 2016 to complete his transfer to Liverpool.

The versatile midfielder had just ended a disappointing campaign: relegation with Newcastle United.

At that time, the Reds pursued Piotr Zielinski, the midfielder of Udinese at the time, and the Italian club had toppled 11.75 million pounds.

After a long saga, Liverpool was forced to turn to elsewhere while the Polish international settled in Naples for about 13 million pounds.

Why Liverpool chose Wijnaldum and why he chose Liverpool

After the breakup, Klopp, Edwards and their teams quickly mobilized to engage with Newcastle for the signing of Wijnaldum.

He was a sought-after man in the summer of 2016. Tottenham Hotspur attempted to secure his services with the Champions League football offer and his compatriot Ronald Koeman looked for it at Goodison.

However, it is the Klopp factor that convinced him to snub the Spurs and Everton for Liverpool.

Wijnaludm was excited by the prospect of being part of the bright future of the Reds under the German boss.

And one of his main attractions was his ability to play one of two midfield roles or the three advanced positions in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

"I think he can be a great player for us," Klopp said at the time.

"He has already shown some great moments in his career, but what is most exciting and most important to me and my staff is that he still has a lot to do for him.

"He can play a few positions for us and the players who go through the Dutch system usually have a good tactical understanding and good flexibility – it's really important."

A sign of things to come

Wijnaldum became the sixth signature of the Klopp era at Anfield.

He played mainly as an offensive midfielder but Liverpool placed him in a deeper position and the success is unprecedented.

The Dutch international has proved the opposite to all critics and set the tone for others. Since then, other rookies such as Andy Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have also challenged the club's expectations.

There is now an informed recruitment culture at Anfield, which has allowed the club to buy wisely and sell even better.

Wijnaldum is an early example, but he has set the mold for the players who follow him to enter the game.

Surprise, worry and prove the opposite to critics

This decision was a surprise: the Dutchman did not initially appear on the Liverpool radar and would have been more than double the price of other targets for which he was offering bids.

There was skepticism as to why Liverpool was paying £ 25m to engage the industrious midfielder and some worried about his consistency, after disappointing performances for Newcastle relegated this season.

Indeed, Wijnaldum has often been criticized for his form far from home.

However, Klopp was not discouraged and, as so often happened, skeptics became believers and Anfield's hierarchy was left to be successful.

Wijnaldum became Klopp's second most expensive signature at the time, after the capture of Sadio Mane in Southampton, for £ 30 million. club.

He is the subtle operator whose Liverpool just could not do without.

Become the key man of Klopp

The midfielder played in 32 of the 38 Premier League games the Reds have played this season and missed just three games in the 97-point national title challenge.

Wijnaldum also participated in all but one of the sensational Champions League campaign, which ended with captain Jordan Henderson, who raised the trophy in Madrid.

He scored two goals in the incredible 4-0 win over Barcelona in the semifinal of the first leg of the European competition, while scoring three goals on the league's incredible effort, but his contribution goes well beyond.

He is the playmaker who combines defense and attack with a relentless race and a phenomenal work ethic by countering each time his side needs him.

He is now focusing more on a defensive role than on an offensive role. Initially, Wijnaldum was struggling to adapt, but his performances this season have more than demonstrated that Klopp and Edwards were right to trust him.

Wijnaldum's intelligence in football, his experience, his ability to break the game, to look ahead and to fill all kinds of field positions, if any, were essential to Liverpool's success last quarter and will undoubtedly be equally important for next season.