2020/24 Takumi Minamino @ Liverpool F.C. (ENG)

真司くんも頑張れ✨ pic.twitter.com/tBl0aBCqIj

— 理絵 (@UU0bfmP9qkPdM1K) December 19, 2019

 

It almost feels like there are expectations that he will make instant impact for Liverpool. Hopefully, he can live up to his own hype. Jurgen Klopp is probably the best person to trust if he were to transfer to a big club. His history with Kagawa and benching under performing high salaried players helps. I just worry they didn't just pick him up for more value on the bench.

 

Very happy for this signing but I really hope the immense pressure doesn't get to him and for the supporters to lower their expectations a bit. I still remember how Kubo was like the talk of the town during Real Madrid's Pre-season and then... well... the rest is history.

 

Fulfilling his dream, everything else is a bonus.

1207673699110936577 is not a valid tweet id

 

Minamino at 8:30 mark:

 

They're making a good use of him. Good marketing.

 

Next opppnents:

12/26 Vs Leicester
12/29 Vs Wolves
01/02 Vs Sheff Utd
01/05 Vs Everton

4 matches in 11 days, the top 3 will need a rest, Minamino need to step up ASAP.

 

The transfer window opens on Jan 1 - let's see how soon Klopp hands him his debut.

 

Meanwhile:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jurgen-klopp-confused-how-fit-21159615.amp

 

I would bet at Everton but not in the starting XI. A second time sub most likely.

 

The amount of views his videos are getting is insane.

First day at Melwood for @takumina0116 👋 pic.twitter.com/UIJtPRId2i

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 31, 2019

 

That clip contains a surprising amount of spoken German.

 

This reminds me of the first meeting between Kagawa and Klopp after the Manchester jailbreak. Oh, that's Chamberlain.. He was art Arsenal with Miyaichi too.. Good ol'memories...

Anyway Klopp yesterday said that Minamino will debut in Liverpool Derby Vs Ancellotti's Everton.

 

I hope he delivers on his debut and silence those who predicted him to be a bench warmer.
In Klopp We Trust.

 

Quiet start so far, Minamino is being played out of position.

 

So, bad debut?

 

Totally missed the match.
It seems they scored 1 min after he was subbed out for Chamberlein but it was an amazing shot by Jones nothing related to his sub.
Plus imo debut in a derby like this is not easy.
Waiting for some highlights.

 

Showed good movement and skill as a false 9 in the first half. Initiated counterpressing well - definitely Klopp's kind of player. Quiet in the 2nd half.

Notable that Origi was playing wide left, indicating that Minamino playing the Firmino role was very much by design and not a makeshift tactic.

 

Move him a little bit lower and this formation is correct.
Minamino tried to offer options with his movements, but obviously he didn't mix well with his teammates since most of the teams are from U23. Sometimes the midfielders even looked confused and weren't sure how to make use of him. Only Lallana somewhat tried to help him to connect with some simple passes but it wasn't enough.

Pressures are on Minamino to perform immediately but it's not that easy since Liverpool's style is very demanding, I think skill set is not an obvious problem for him, but tactical and physical aspects are.

 

Kloppo sounded thrilled with Minamino's debut. Obviously it was the kind of day where the coach would offer up positivity all around, but there was enough there to show why Liverpool bought him - great intensity and intelligence in movement. I think his young colleagues were hesitant to play him the ball in tight spaces, but playing with a senior lineup he could certainly slot in nicely for Firmino.