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Takumi Minamino has ‘found a home’ in Southampton after scoring the second goal in three games, says Joe Cole … as Liverpool fans are left ‘baffled’ by the ‘mind-blowing’ decision to let him go over Divock Origi in distress
- Takumi Minamino scored the first goal in Southampton’s clash against Chelsea
- The 26-year-old sat down the goalkeeper and scored with the outside of the boot
- It is the second goal for the Japanese midfielder in three games since he came on loan.
- Has only scored one goal for Liverpool since leaving RB Salzburg
Joe Cole says that Takumi Minamino has “found a home” in Southampton after scoring his second goal in three games since coming on loan.
The Japanese star joined the Saints on the closing day after battling for playing time in Liverpool.
And Minamino has already scored more league goals for the south coast club than in Liverpool, since the Reds signed him in January 2020.
Takumi Minamino scored his second goal of his loan match in Southampton against Chelsea
Minamino sat Edouard Mendy and Cesar Azpilicueta before going home
Minamino opened the scoring after running to a precise pass from Nathan Redmond, before sitting down Edouard Mendy and Cesar Azpilicueta before heading home.
BT sport Expert Cole said: ‘Minamino recognizes that there is an inch of space and it’s about the quality of (Nathan) Redmond’s pass to him and his finish is exquisite.
‘This is what we should have seen from a Liverpool player. He’s here, he’s found a home, and it’s a great ending. ”
A second-half penalty from Mason Mount meant Southampton failed to win, but ended their losing streak with a 1-1 draw.
Cole added: ‘The way this team played with their high pressure methodology, they’re always going to get hit big at times.
‘That is the Minamino we wanted to see, a fantastic ending, this team has a strong character. Getting this result against a fit Chelsea is fantastic for the club ”.
The 26-year-old joined Liverpool in January 2020, after impressing against Jurgen Klopp’s side for RB Salzburg in that season’s Champions League.
However, he only made two league starts for the Reds this season, scoring his first league goal in his last outing for Jurgen Klopp’s team during a 7-0 win over Crystal Palace in December.
Minamino’s goal against Chelsea comes after he scored on his Saints debut in a 3-2 loss to Newcastle.
Minamino has already scored more league goals for Southampton than for Liverpool
Now with six goals in all competitions this season, fans on social media have questioned why Liverpool let Minamino beat Divock Origi.
The Belgian striker has just one goal in the Carabao Cup this season, in 15 appearances mostly from the bench.
Boland98 tweeted: ‘It puzzles me why we let Minamino go on loan’, while FavelaFlair added: ‘I will never understand why Liverpool got rid of Minamino instead of Origi. Very strange decision.
Another Twitter user, Joe Hughes, commented: “The fact that Divock Origi was above Minamino in the pecking order in Liverpool is mind-blowing.”
Footballsbante1 posted a video of someone on ArsenalFanTV with head on head with the caption: ‘I was trying to figure out why Liverpool sold Ings, loaned Minamino but still managed to keep Origi’.
Social media users also took into account Liverpool’s current poor form, as well as Thiago’s struggles since joining the Reds.
Singhness tweeted: “Liverpool need goals, but Klopp sends Minamino to Southampton to score goals.”
Jo commented: ‘Minamino >>> Thiago I’m scared’, while UtdAyush added: ‘Minamino in Liverpool would have done a better job than Thiago is currently doing in Liverpool just saying’.
