Clinton Morrison told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (27/02/21 at 2:35 pm) that he didn’t understand why Ralph Hasenhüttl dropped Liverpool loanee Takumi Minamino to the bench in midweek.
After Minamino scored during Southampton’s draw against Chelsea last week, the Liverpool speedster was on the bench for his loan side’s defeat at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
He wasn’t the only one rested, with star striker Danny Ings also taking his place on the bench.
Morrison made it clear that Minamino should have started for the Saints, as it was pointed to him that he would have been ‘bursting’ to prove himself once again after scoring against Chelsea only days earlier.
“100%, you are spot on, Jeff,” said Morrison. “I don’t understand that. When you are a player like Minamino. You need confidence.
“You have gone there to play football, and you scored a very good goal (against Chelsea). Let me tell you something, this goal is brilliant. The timing of the run and the pass. But the way he sits down Mendy and Azpilicueta and then has the confidence with the outside of his boot to put it into the net.
“So after that, he scores against Chelsea and then you go to your next game against Leeds. You’re confident and want to play the next game. I can guarantee you now Jeff when Leeds saw the teamsheet, they said ‘no Danny Ings and Minamino’ they were happy.”
Games are coming thick and fast, so that’s a reason behind Hasenhüttl’s decision.
But it doesn’t help his cause when Southampton go onto lose and he drops his goalscorer from the last game.
Well, Minamino has seemingly brought the Liverpool injury bug to St Mary’s.
Whilst those at Liverpool would have loved to have seen him come up against Everton on Monday night, he’s another Southampton player who has had to head for the treatment room.
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