Jurgen Klopp faces dilemma over Takumi Minamino

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Liverpool are back in Premier League action tonight, travelling down to North London to take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The Reds drew 1-1 with Burnley over the weekend, and need to get back to winning ways if they’re to break the Premier League points record.

Liverpool need 101 points to break Manchester City’s record from the 2017-18 season, and have just three games to do it – meaning they have to win each game.

Jurgen Klopp therefore finds himself in something a dilemma; does he blood more and more youngsters and fringe players before the end of the season, or go all out for the record?

A player who finds himself at the centre of that dilemma is Takumi Minamino, who has made only the one start since football returned in June; even then, he managed just 45 minutes against Everton.

The Japanese attacker joined from Red Bull Salzburg in January, but – much like other Klopp signings before him – is being bedded in gradually whilst he learns the Liverpool system and approach.

He didn’t exactly look comfortable in a right-sided role against Everton, and really needs to either be played as a creative midfielder or in Roberto Firmino’s false nine role.

The problem for Liverpool is that they look much worse off without Firmino in the side, and sticking Minamino in there may be a gamble for Klopp even with the title already wrapped up.

Tonight’s trip to Arsenal and the home clash with Chelsea may not be ideal games for Minamino to start, which would leave just the final game of the season at Newcastle – which could be the record-clincher.

At 25, Minamino isn’t a kid; Liverpool need to have him ready to contribute next season, as Klopp’s front three need support. Minamino is expected to offer more than Divock Origi and is further along in his development than Harvey Elliott, so he’s a very important part of Liverpool’s attacking depth.

Without playing time, it will be difficult for Minamino to contribute as we know he can, and Klopp may need to make a gutsy call on his involvement in the coming games.