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‘Incredible’: Klopp feels Liverpool star had one of his best games in FA Cup

Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 02:  Takumi Minamino of Liverpool celebrates with Jurgen Klopp after the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield on March 02, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images

Jurgen Klopp feels Takumi Minamino produced one of his best performances for Liverpool against Norwich City after scoring twice in the FA Cup tie, he told BBC Sport (02/03, 22:41).

The Reds held on to edge the Canaries and win 2-1 at Anfield to reach the quarter-final on Wednesday night. Minamino had given the Merseyside natives a two-goal advantage after hitting home after 27 and 39-minutes. But Lukas Rupp gave Norwich hope of a comeback.

Dean Smith’s men ultimately could not build on Rupp’s 76th-minute response, with Alisson doing superbly to deny Jonathan Rowe. The 18-year-old looked set to be the Carrow Road outfit’s unlucky hero after driving into the box. Yet Alisson managed to tip his strike away.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: ( THE SUN OUT,THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Takumi Minamino of Liverpool  during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield on March 02, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Minamino took both his goals against Norwich very well, with the 27-year-old first blasting home following Kostas Tsimikas’ cross. The Japan international then swiftly doubled the Reds’ advantage with another thunderous hit when the Canaries left him space at a corner.

The midfielder has now scored nine goals after 22 appearances in all competitions so far this term. He has also fired home four in three career meetings with Norwich. The £7.25m dynamo struck a brace away to the Canaries in the Carabao Cup third-round in September.

Klopp hails ‘incredible’ Minamino for one of his best Liverpool displays

Minamino enthralled Klopp with his performance to help Liverpool beat Norwich in the FA Cup fifth-round on Wednesday. The German feels the midfielder’s performance was among his best for the Anfield outfit since joining from RB Salzburg in the January 2020 window.

“Minamino played incredible tonight, one of the best games he had for us,” Klopp said. “He’s in a good moment and that’s good.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 02:  Takumi Minamino of Liverpool beats Dimitris Giannoulis of Norwich City during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield on March 02, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images

Wednesday’s FA Cup tie against Norwich marked Minamino’s 53rd Liverpool appearance so far in his Anfield career. He also now has 13 goals and three assists, having harassed the Canaries all game following a bright start and constantly calling for the ball, as well.