Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken highly of Takumi Minamino on the club’s official website.
Klopp was impressed with the performance produced by the 25-year-old Japan international – who can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a winger – during Liverpool’s 7-2 victory over Lincoln City away from home in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening.
Minamino scored twice for the Reds and was a constant problem for the home team’s defensive unit.
Klopp has raved about the 25-year-old, and while analysing his performance, the German has outlined the pressing of the Japan international.
Klopp told Liverpool’s official website about Minamino: “I loved Taki’s game tonight, to be honest – it was absolutely outstanding and involved in so many situations.
“More and more, I think we all realise where his qualities are. Wherever he will play in the end, he will end up in the centre: if he plays on the left wing or the right wing, he will play in the half-spaces or the centre because that’s where he has his real strength. He looked really well.
“The opponent had to kick off seven times [after our goals] and the first guy who chased the opponent again when they received the pass was Taki. He set the rhythm for all these pressing and counter-pressing situations, so I really, really liked the game tonight.”
Progressing at Liverpool
Minamino joined Liverpool from RB Salzburg in January 2020, and his impact on the Reds in the second half of last season was minimal.
According to WhoScored, the Japan international attacker made two starts and eight substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Merseyside outfit in the second half of last season, and he played seven minutes in the Champions League.
On Thursday evening, the 25-year-old took four shots of which two ended in goal, played one key pass, had a pass accuracy of 80%, took 57 touches, made two tackles, and put in one cross, according to WhoScored.
The 25-year-old is growing as a player in the current Liverpool team, and he could prove to be brilliant for the Reds this season.
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