Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised Takumi Minamino’s attitude on the club’s official website after a failed move to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United in the January transfer window.
Klopp was pleased to see Minamino show an outstanding attitude for Liverpool against Cardiff City in the FA Cup at the weekend.
The 27-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, came back early from international duty with Japan.
Minamino was strongly linked with a move to Leeds in the January transfer window.
The Liverpool Echo reported last month that Leeds were interested in the Japan international.
The Athletic claimed that the Whites had inquired about the attacker, but they were not willing to pay the £20 million transfer fee that Liverpool wanted.
Klopp told Liverpool’s official website about Minamino after the match on Sunday: “Taki obviously was very successful with Japan. Before he left he was successful with us, so he is in a really good moment.
“Played today a really good game, scored a wonderful goal. He came back early, he could have stayed a little bit longer away if he would have wanted to.
“With his outstanding attitude he wanted to be back quicker, that’s why we could line him up today, a very good option for us. Yeah, he is in a very good moment, thank God.”
Leeds United should monitor Takumi Minamino
In our view, Leeds should continue to monitor Minamino with a view to a move in the summer of 2022.
After all, if Leeds wanted the Japanese attacker last month, then they are likely to need him for next season and beyond.
Interest from the Whites in the 27-year-old is not going to go away because of a failed transfer in the middle of the season.
Klopp’s comments show just how committed Minamino is to doing his best, and such an attitude would fit in at Leeds.
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