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It may have felt strange that Jürgen Klopp decided to dedicate some of his program notes for the Tottenham Hotspur game midweek to a player who was not going to play.
“Usually I’m not a fan of highlighting people, but I think Taki Minamino is someone I want to highlight. Taki has been great to us since he arrived. His attitude is always of the highest level. The commitment to improvement is total.
“He has had to be patient and, at times, I imagine it has been quite difficult. Your lack of initial opportunities so far is not due to anything you are not doing well; it’s because the players in their position have been very consistent in their commitment to our club. “
The Japanese international joined the club in January from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of £ 7.25 million, but has had to be patient waiting for opportunities. The forward has scored three goals and one assist in 14 appearances for the club this season, a streak totaling 586 minutes.
Minamino’s role on the team has fluctuated, with the 25-year-old playing four different positions for Jurgen Klopp this season. While on the surface, a total of 3 goals and 1 assist in 28 games (this season and last) can seem disappointing, so much of his early career at Liverpool depends on perspective.
Minamino has posted contributions of four goals in less than 600 minutes, but three of them came in the 7-2 demolition of Lincoln City. The question arises, why would Klopp be quick to praise him?
The truth is that soccer is a game of squads. Although Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane They may make the headlines, the biggest test for Liverpool this season has been their strength and depth. No one could have predicted the injury crisis that would befall them, and as Klopp frantically shifts players to new roles, he must have players like Minamino. The forward has not issued any complaints about his situation and remains keen to impress.
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That reliability and willingness to place himself on the side wherever he is needed (he played in several different positions for Salzburg) is vital for a team looking to challenge like Liverpool.
“But Taki points the way for everyone when it comes to setting an example,” Klopp added. “He gives everything he has; every day, he is with us. We have used him recently in central midfield, and he has accepted it very positively.
“This is what we need from all of us if we have any chance of having a successful season. When an opportunity presents itself, jump into it. For the team! “
Unity and harmony at Anfield depends on everyone buying, and Klopp’s praise for that has been constant. Minamino’s altruism has not gone unnoticed by his manager, and the fact that Klopp took the opportunity to publicly acknowledge it is shrewd management of men.
Also, the nature of modern football often demands instant results, but we have to remember that for someone like Andrew Robertson and Fabinho, it took time to establish themselves at Anfield.
2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. The truncation of the football calendar, with accumulated matches, has made it difficult for the Japanese international to gain momentum, especially given the little consistency it has had in terms of opportunities.
If Minamino has been unlucky this season, his disallowed Champions League goal against FC Midtjylland will only have confirmed his suspicions. As Liverpool approaches the festive period, they will enjoy a few weeks of busy games.
The Reds have eight games between now and early February, and it is during that period that Klopp can turn to players like Minamino most often for help. If the 25-year-old can seize his opportunity, then he could make his way through the team, but Klopp will by no means take that for granted.
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