It’s fair to say Takumi Minamino’s Liverpool career hasn’t got off the ground yet.
The Reds need reliable backup forwards but Minamino found himself out on loan at Southampton in the second half of last season.
He has had the opportunity to gain some form and confidence since the end of the campaign however – on international duty.
Yesterday, the 26-year-old put Japan 2-1 ahead in their World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan.
Japan ended up winning 4-1 and they have won all seven of their group games in the second round of World Cup qualifying.
The standard of opposition won’t exactly make Jurgen Klopp change his mind about the forward, it must be said.
But it’s good for him to get on the scoresheet and go into the summer in decent fettle.
Does Minamino have a Liverpool future?
He should do. He’s a versatile forward, capable of playing multiple roles in a pressing team.
He just hasn’t settled or had a run in the side to actually find his feet.
Perhaps Liverpool would look to move him on if they thought they could get decent money with which to bring someone else in.
But all he can do is come back for pre-season raring to go and perhaps he’ll get his chance mid-season when the African Cup of Nations will see Sadio Mane and Mo Salah leave mid-season.
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