Liverpool: Klopp says Minamino was ‘welcomed with open arms’
Takumi Minamino will be best suited in a central role during the early stages of his Liverpool career, claims Jurgen Klopp. The Reds landed Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg earlier this month after activating his £7million release clause and Klopp handed him his first start last Sunday during the FA Cup win over Everton at Anfield.
He played there (against Everton) because we thought that it’s most natural to him in the first place, especially defending wise against the ball
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
The Japan international was fielded as a centre-forward and played for 70 minutes before being substituted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain following an impressive home debut.
The German manager was impressed with the 24-year-old and appears set to continue using him in a central capacity unless a better position comes up.
Klopp said: “He played there (against Everton) because we thought that it’s most natural to him in the first place, especially defending wise against the ball.
“The year before, not this season the year before this season, when my former player was manager at Salzburg I watched a couple of games where they played a diamond a lot and he was the No10 very often.
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“But it’s not his only position, in a 4-4-2 he can play both wings, second striker, for Japan the only striker, a lot he has to offer.”
But Minamino is still set to face some intense competition for a position in the starting line-up as Klopp constantly opts for Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino up front in his preferred 4-3-3 formation.
But the Liverpool boss is confident the Japanese ace will cope just fine and expects great things from him in the near future.
Klopp previously said: “It's not reshaping, but Taki is for sure a player who can help us immediately in the short term and the long term, from an age perspective.