Topic: Takumi Minamino

[bornandbRED]

Don't see why we're playing him out wide at times. Not in any way a natural fit for that position.

Can see he has the technical ability, touch etc, which bodes well for the future.

[Too early for flapjacks?]

What teammates, 16 year old Elliot and Origi?

Salah, Firmino, Robbo, etc on Thursday, and yes, Origi, Elliott, Jones, etc today. He'll need time to build an understanding with his teammates, he said as much in an interview a few days ago.

[Kopenhagen]

I thought he looked good in the first half? A bit lost on some patterns of play - to be expected - but you could see some of his quality.

[redbyrdz]

He needs training time with the team. You can see he has all the attributes to fit in well, he's just not used to playing with the rest of the team (and the other way round). He'll be goood next season, this is just a learning phase.

[liverbloke]

On a totally different level, I used to play Sunday and Saturday football and when joining a 'new' team sometimes you did find yourself running around seemingly like a headless chicken and trying to find your place in the team whilst trying your best - it can be frustrating.

Sometimes you slot right in like you've always been there, other times you run around the pitch trying to cover every blade of grass.

I think Mini is obviously a good player but he looks like he's playing for one team inside another if that makes sense.

[Bolrick]

He does have lots of energy. Was closing down players for the entire time he was on the pitch.

Maybe a good tactic is to bring him on in the 70th minute to run at and press at opposition. Moreover once he gets his first goal, i can see him scoring more regularly.

[redk84]

He'll be better once adapting to his new teammates and patterns of play...seems to have enough about him.

Hopefully doesn't get bogged down with injuries like Keita to prevent this organic process

[Caligula?]

He needs training time with the team. You can see he has all the attributes to fit in well, he's just not used to playing with the rest of the team (and the other way round). He'll be goood next season, this is just a learning phase.

Absolutely. I said in the post-match thread that if it was earlier in the season, perhaps we'd have eased him in like Robbo and Fabinho. He clearly needs more time to adapt.

[Agent99]

Was willing him on to score today. Should have told Naby to leave it

[afc tukrish]

Was willing him on to score today. Should have told Naby to leave it

He did leave it...

[newterp]

He did leave it...

no he didn't - he missed the shot.

[۩ Imperator ۩]

Can't believe he missed the target from there. If he'd been on the pitch five minutes longer, I bet he would have slotted that one, but the first goal is always the toughest one to get. He'll do well for us as, essentially, a Lallana replacement / upgrade.

[mrshirtee]

Stumbled across this today...a really fascinating insight into Reds fans the other side of the world 

Thought it would be a load of fans there just for Minamino but turns out they've done some great work in the past with the foodbanks and even making 1000 origami cranes for Ox back when he was injured.

Would recommend to anyone with a spare 15 minutes this evening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qsprIbhfVE

[mrshirtee]

Thought he had to score from there but granted would have been put off by Keita.

At least he's getting himself into those positions....fingers crossed he can open his account soon so he can chip in during the run-in and CL!

[AndyMuller]

I thought it was Keita that hit it?!

[Zlen]

I thought it was Keita that hit it?!

We all did.
Took me two replays to correct it.

[Big Sami Hyypiä]

Stumbled across this today...a really fascinating insight into Reds fans the other side of the world 

Thought it would be a load of fans there just for Minamino but turns out they've done some great work in the past with the foodbanks and even making 1000 origami cranes for Ox back when he was injured.

Would recommend to anyone with a spare 15 minutes this evening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qsprIbhfVE

That was a brilliant watch, thanks for sharing. Visited Japan many years ago, dying to get back now and watch a game with some of the Reds there

[afc tukrish]

no he didn't - he missed the shot.

Naby did not hit the shot, Minamino did...

That's what I meant to say, sorry if it came across wrong.

Very clear on the telly...

[newterp]

Naby did not hit the shot, Minamino did...

That's what I meant to say, sorry if it came across wrong.

Very clear on the telly...

gotcha.

On first view I thought it was Keita - but he had his hands up as if saying "I didn't touch it"...and then the replay confirmed it. That said - I think Keita ended up sort of messing with Minamino's shot or at least disconcerted him.

[afc tukrish]

gotcha.

On first view I thought it was Keita - but he had his hands up as if saying "I didn't touch it"...and then the replay confirmed it. That said - I think Keita ended up sort of messing with Minamino's shot or at least disconcerted him.

Agreed, on all counts...

Takumi and Naby both ghost around so well when we are in possession, and flyall over the place closing down when we don't...

Dynamism isn't really an adequate description when those two are playing together...

[DelTrotter]

That pass to Bobby where their lad got booked for the NFL tackle was beautiful. Shame he didn’t score but getting in there and getting shots off is the important part, the goals will come.

[Keith Lard]

Stumbled across this today...a really fascinating insight into Reds fans the other side of the world 

Thought it would be a load of fans there just for Minamino but turns out they've done some great work in the past with the foodbanks and even making 1000 origami cranes for Ox back when he was injured.

Would recommend to anyone with a spare 15 minutes this evening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qsprIbhfVE

 That was an awesome watch. Thanks for sharing!

[smurfinaus]

I know we wont see the best of him til next season, but im curious what peoples thoughts are of which position he will end up playing in?

[aussie_ox]

I know we wont see the best of him til next season, but im curious what peoples thoughts are of which position he will end up playing in?

He did damage to us cutting in from out wide.    Hopefully he gets a good run in the FA Cup this season. 

[latortuga]

I know we wont see the best of him til next season, but im curious what peoples thoughts are of which position he will end up playing in?

We'll see the best of him as soon as he gets some proper game time. 

[lucabrasi]

We'll see the best of him as soon as he gets some proper game time. 

I’m curious to see how the boss plays this out when the league is officially over. Does he really want the record if it’s still attainable by playing the first team players? Or does he say feck it, we’ve won the league let’s get other players in their like Takumi. Maybe we set records anyway.

[hide5seek]

He did damage to us cutting in from out wide.    Hopefully he gets a good run in the FA Cup this season. 

We win the next 6 league games and I can see him start all other leagues games left of the season (him and possibly a couple of the kids).

[blacksun]

We win the next 6 league games and I can see him start all other leagues games left of the season (him and possibly a couple of the kids).

Don't see this scenario playing out like that at all, Klopp is all about rhythm and keeping the boys in the best rhythm for CL and FA cup games will require them to keep playing most games, so the occasional resting of a usual starter is a possibility but not wholesale changes for many games IMO

[Smellytrabs]

I know we wont see the best of him til next season, but im curious what peoples thoughts are of which position he will end up playing in?

It's a tough one because I think he has the ability to play several positions for us. My gut instinct is that he will mostly play the Bobby role.

[redgriffin73]

Not on the bench today? Still finding his feet I guess.

[duvva 💅]

Not on the bench today? Still finding his feet I guess.

If everyone stays fit I don’t expect to see much of him this season. As you say will be becoming acclimatised ready for next season, but the longer he’s here the more able he’ll be able to contribute this season if required is how I’m looking at it

[Fromola]

Not on the bench today? Still finding his feet I guess.

Klopp wouldn't have wanted to use him the way he has so far this season. He had to throw him in for the Everton game for his debut and then the 4th round. Then came on at a very tough away game at Wolves after Mane got injured.

Robbo and Fabinho were basically on the sidelines for half a season to adjust when signed. He might get Chelsea away in the cup and later in the season if the title is done he might get games to give forwards a rest either side of CL games.

[Passmaster Molby]

Not on the bench today? Still finding his feet I guess.

Think its just that you can only pick 7 subs and someone has to miss out. Shows how hard he will have to work to get in the matchday squad, but these first few months are a perfect time to adjust.

[Caligula?]

He looks so shy.  Extra Klopp hugs needed.

[blacksun]

He looks so shy.  Extra Klopp hugs needed.

I think hes just finding his feet amongst a squad that's been together quite a while now and all know each other very well. Plus in my experience Japanese people aren't generally that extroverted and that is probably why he appears shy.

[Sangria]

He looks so shy.  Extra Klopp hugs needed.

Maybe a high five or two or a thousand.

[Kopenhagen]

He looks so shy.  Extra Klopp hugs needed.

[El Lobo]

I’d be starting him in both games next week, looked sharp (er) when he came on

[Vinay]

Hasnt looked anything special, to be honest.

[Samie]

we bought him for just over 7 million, we could sell him for triple the amount in a years time for fuck sakes. Does it matter?