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When Takumi Minamino signed for Liverpool last December, there was a genuine stir surrounding his arrival. It looked like another blow for Michael Edwards and the recruiting team, especially after the player arrived at Anfield and fully directed the proceedings of RB Salzburg.
And then things got weird.
As is often the case with new signings under Jurgen Klopp, the player was unable to assimilate Liverpool’s distinctive style of play. Furthermore, the team’s success on the field – winning 26 of the first 27 league games – meant there was little need to try to force the issue. And then COVID happened and all football stopped.
Welcome to Liverpool?
A year later, it started to look like Taki didn’t have a place on the team, even in the midst of a ridiculous injury crisis.
However, in recent weeks, things have started to fall into place for Minamino. He has been deployed as a midfielder several times, and he looks increasingly comfortable in the position. He also looks more and more dangerous while attacking. In fact, he came within a questionable decision of the VAR to get the winner in the final match of the Champions League group stage against FC Midtjylland. And last weekend – on the anniversary of his signing – he finally scored his first goal in the league.
Now, Minamino has opened up about some of the struggles he’s had since joining.
“A lot of people, including the coach and staff, supported me,” Taki told the club’s official website. “Thanks to them, I managed to live my life during the confinement. Although it was a difficult moment, a lot of people supported me and, in this sense, I think Liverpool Football Club has a wonderful team ”.
The timing of his signing and COVID also means that he has only had limited experience playing in front of the famous Anfield crowd. But you still feel the power of the old stadium.
“When we play at Anfield, I don’t know why, but we always feel like we can win. I do not know why. The stadium always gives us power. It’s so sad that we can’t have [more] fans in the stadium. I hope they can see our game again as soon as possible ”.
Minamino hopes his goal is the first of many, and that he can keep going, especially with the games coming “hard and fast” during the holiday season.
“I am looking forward to it. Since there are two games in a week, I will have more opportunities to play and I am happy about that. Now we suffer a lot of injuries, so a player like me needs to work harder for the team. I would like to prepare well and achieve a result if I have the opportunity ”.
Let’s hope for more good performances, and even more goals, from Taki.
