Jurgen Klopp has admitted that it was ‘hard to see’ Takumi Minamino leave Liverpool.
The 27-year-old has been sold to Monaco after struggling for opportunities under Klopp during his two-and-a-half year stint on Merseyside.
Last season, in particular, Minamino managed only 176 minutes of Premier League football despite being fit for the majority of the campaign.
However, the Reds boss is refusing to accept suggestions that he didn’t succeed at Anfield.
Last term, Minamino scored seven FA Cup and Carabao Cup goals in helping Liverpool win both competitions.
And Klopp claims that anybody who feels that the Japan international flopped on Merseyside is quite simply ‘wrong’.
He told Liverpool’s official website; “It’s hard to see Taki go, but it’s a great move for him and one he thoroughly deserves.
“An amazing professional; super, talented player. As a person, he is full of warmth and makes everyone feel positive. A manager’s dream, to be honest. I’m sure there will be those who think it didn’t quite work out. Those who think this are wrong. I don’t accept that.”
Minamino certainly wasn’t a roaring success at Liverpool, but Klopp is right in saying that he didn’t quite flop either.
Like Divock Origi, Minamino was capable of scoring a big goal for Klopp’s side at big times.
Oh, and Liverpool also made over a 100 percent profit on the former Salzburg winger, having bought him for £7.2 million and sold him for a little over £15 million.
As an investment and as a signing, this has been okay for the Premier League outfit and that’s why Klopp has a point in defending the player’s career with the English giants.
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