Jurgen Klopp expressed delight at the two-goal showing from Takumi Minamino as Liverpool FC ran out comfortable winners in a 7-2 thrashing of Lincoln City in the EFL Cup.
A third-round fixture against Lincoln, an outfit of England’s third-tier football league, was never going to be a daunting task for Klopp’s men barring a shock upset. However, the Reds ensured a sublime performance against Thursday’s opponents to book a fourth-round clash against Arsenal.
Minamino was a star turn for his side and scored a delightful brace in a rare start coming his way at the LNER Stadium. The Japan international’s first goal was a touch of class, with Minamino’s well-timed effort curling into the top corner of the net after Xherdan Shaqiri had put Liverpool FC ahead in only in the ninth minute.
Klopp was full of praise for the 25-year old’s showing, which the Liverpool FC boss termed as ‘absolutely outstanding’. Minamino is still adapting to life at the Anfield giants following his move to the Merseyside club in January this year from RB Salzburg.
“I loved Taki’s game tonight, to be honest – it was absolutely outstanding and involved in so many situations,” Klopp stated in his post-game interview.
“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.”
The forward’s goals against Lincoln City were only the second time the Japanese has gotten on the scoresheet in the Reds shirt. Minamino’s first goal for Klopp’s side came in Liverpool FC’s Community Shield loss to Arsenal last month, seven months after the 25-year old arrived at Anfield from Salzburg in a deal worth £7.25 million.
