Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp showered praise on the latest club signing Takumi Minamino after the Japanese international made his debut on Sunday in the FA Cup against local rivals Everton.
Minamino arrived at Anfield from Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg in the January transfer window in a £7.5 million deal and started the Merseyside derby in the FA Cup. The 24-year-old led the line for Klopp’s team and the German manager was thoroughly impressed with the new signing.
A Curtis Jones’ wonder goal earned Liverpool a 1-0 victory against the Toffees for Liverpool to progress through to the next round of the competition but Klopp was also impressed with Minamino as he adapted well to Liverpool’s style of play.
While speaking to reporters after the game, Klopp was asked about Minamino and the 52-year-old replied by stating that Japan forward was the exact player that Liverpool was looking for, “Super. Outstanding. Exactly the player we wanted, exactly the player we wished for, In your first game in a team that you don’t know, if it’s a settled team it’s already difficult, this team we threw on the pitch with more or less two sessions together and then showing this kind of game understanding, [his] football skills are exceptional, attitude is outstanding, leading the chasing pack so often in different situations.”
Liverpool are currently 13 points clear at the summit of the Premier League table and a delighted Klopp further explained that he was glad about the return of Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, “It was a nice add on to have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back because he looked pretty lively when he came on, trains only two days now and that’s why he didn’t start. But yeah it was super.”
