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Publication date: Monday, August 31, 2020 8:57 AM
Jurgen Klopp expects Takumi Minamino to make giant strides for Liverpool this season after breaking his goal duck against Arsenal.
The Japanese winger replaced Neco Williams after an hour at Wembley on the Community Shield to tie the Reds.
However, it was not enough to win Liverpool more titles, as they lost on penalties, but Klopp believes that Minamino has all the attributes to be a great success.
The Reds coach admitted it has been difficult to give the 25-year-old a lot of playing time with Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in such good shape.
Klopp said: “We have a good team and it’s difficult to get into the team anyway. But he is a player who is really useful to us, let me tell you that ”.
Minamino’s elegant touch and clever finish at Wembley gave fans a glimpse of what he can bring to Liverpool and Klopp believes the attacker can make an impact at Anfield.
On Minamino’s performance, Klopp said: “It wasn’t just the goal – he was in the middle, in tight and small spaces it was really good, his first touch was exceptional and his decision making between the lines really great.
“That also helps. So that he can be a real player for us, that was always clear.
“He entered the most difficult period of all our lives, I would say. He has had to adapt to different things being alone in England in the confinement. That is something that is not pleasant.
“But he did very well, as he is a super professional, so I am very happy that he was able to score and that is another big step for him.”
Minamino joined Liverpool in a £ 7.25 million deal in January from Red Bull Salzburg.
But he made just two Premier League starts and 10 league appearances when he found himself settling in a new country during a global pandemic.
Klopp tries to focus on Shield’s positives
Rhian Brewster was the only player to miss his penalty after Liverpool drew 1-1 with Arsenal in regulation time.
And Klopp believes Liverpool could have scored more goals to avoid taking the game to penalties, but admitted that Arsenal’s form caused them problems.
“For these types of games you need the final blow,” he told BT Sport.
“We created a lot, we had enough of the ball, but we had to be careful with the counterattack.
“We deserved the draw and we could have scored more, but we didn’t.
“When you play against a formation like this, you need to be really fresh in the last third and you have to force it, create angles.
“The pace for that slowed down a bit. Today was not enough ”.
READ MORE: Carragher: Minamino gives Klopp a problem after Timo Werner failed
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