Liverpool’s return from the lockdown was a little disappointing, as they played out a 0-0 draw with local rivals Everton on Sunday night.
The Reds will have been hoping to come back with a bang, but they understandably couldn’t hit top gear in their first game back from lockdown.
Liverpool missed Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah on the day, and only managed three shots on target. In fact, they could have lost it late on as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tom Davies both went close.
Still, Liverpool edged another point closer to the Premier League title. Jurgen Klopp will no doubt want to see better against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, when Salah could start.
His absence meant a chance for January signing Takumi Minamino. The Japanese star joined from Red Bull Salzburg at the turn of the year, but had struggled for playing time before the lockdown.
That’s not uncommon under Klopp; he tends to bed new signings in gradually, giving them time to adjust to life in the Premier League and in this current Liverpool setup.
Minamino started on the right flank, which isn’t really his natural position. He showed some nice link-up play, and particularly impressed when moving centrally.
He was hooked at half time for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but some Liverpool fans were encouraged by his performance.
Some believe he looks better than he did before lockdown, noting that he has improved ‘massively’ and especially in terms of his confidence, and believe he looks like a different player.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
