Topic: Takumi Minamino

[Djozer]

Hm.
Looked slow and soft to me, but I hardly expected much more after he got thrown in the deep end tonight.
He does work hard.

I mostly saw it like this too. Not exactly a tremendous league debut, but then debuts count for fuck all in the greater scheme of things. The lack of rapid quick fast pacy top top speed makes me think he may end up being a better Bobby replacement than out wide but who knows, it's early days as many have said. I imagine he's going to end up a cover player and not much more than that but again, early days and anything could happen.

I do like his workrate and he had a couple of really nice touches and, even though I wasn't that impressed it was a bloody hard game to get thrown into. Wolves are a very good team.

[Bread]

Interesting that he played in the midfield 3 in the second half ahead of Ox who got pushed forward. Makes me wonder what he proper position will actually be going forward.

[The Test]

Yeah he basically got tossed into a cauldron tonight. Even Fab looked a bit rushed and overwhelmed at times so theres no point in drawing conclusions. Hoping that little flick over the wolves mid a minute after he came on was meant. Piece of magic.

[smutchin]

Of course it was far from a perfect performance but while he might not have been in the right position every time, he covered the whole pitch, including doing defensive duties. That's what I meant about him looking like a proper Liverpool player.

He's still settling into the side, that was a tough game to get thrown into and having to fill Sadio's boots is a big ask. But I'm feeling confident about him as a long-term prospect.

[Dazzer23]

Good feet, very neat and tidy, not sure he has the pace and thrust to be part of our front 3, looks a more a deeper player or a no. 10 to me.

Will take to time to adapt, hell of an introduction to come into tonight, probably sat in dressing room now thinking ‘what the fuck...!?’

[TepidT2O]

Klopp said he was complaining about sore calves and had lots of massage at half time...

A touch concerning

[Morgana]

Two baptisms of fire for him: Merseyside derby debut, then PL debut against our toughest divisional rival (Let's face it, Leicester and Man City cannot hold a candle to Wolves energy against us  this year). I think Takumi has done very well.

[Bend It Like Aurelio]

He is able to play as an 8, but he doesn’t look like he is on the same wavelength as everyone else. Needs time.

[bradders1011]

Let's face it, barring injury he wasn't getting a start this season until at least the very end - he's being trained up into the tactics. Let's reserve judgement till next year.

[Kashinoda]

He is able to play as an 8, but he doesn’t look like he is on the same wavelength as everyone else. Needs time.

I don't think we were on his wavelength. He was showing all game and creating space for himself all over, no one gave him the ball.

Still a c*nt of a game to come into.

[number 168]

The guy was making runs all night but it will take a while for him to integrate himself into the team, and for those runs to be anticipated by others. He has skill, quick feet and I reckon he will be a real asset once he gets a few games under his belt.

[redgriffin73]

That one touch fairly early on to take it over one of theirs was gorgeous. Just needs to get up to speed with the pace of the PL but looking promising.

[RobbieRedman]

Was really surprised he came on for Mane and Origi didn't

still find that a bit baffling

[AnimalMasch]

He's gonna be a fantastic player for us once tuned. Mark my words.

[tornado]

Hopefully gets to play a lot after it's done and dusted so the bedding in is brought forward to this season. Noticed a few times like others have mentioned but team didn't trust him to hold it against such quality opposition. It will come gradually.

[oxenstierna]

Think he did the basics ok. Hard game to influence

[The Test]

I agree with the fact he was asking for the ball while under pressure, and mostly not getting it. Sneaky suspicion him and Naby will have some fun together.

[Clint Eastwood]

Was not the right time or the ideal game to bring him on and I’m sure that if Milner, Shaqiri or Lallana were available they’d have come on instead. Clearly has ability, but needs time to adapt to the system, you could tell at times he was caught in two minds with his movement. He’s got the technical ability, it’s about easing him in.

[Dull Tools]

The guy was making runs all night but it will take a while for him to integrate himself into the team, and for those runs to be anticipated by others. He has skill, quick feet and I reckon he will be a real asset once he gets a few games under his belt.

Agreed with Robbo. He wanted it to feet all game and wasn't getting it.

[stockdam]

He did ok but remember he’s now being asked to play at an intensity that he probably isn’t used to yet. It took Fabinho a long time to get used to the speed of the PL.

[OneTouchFooty]

Thought he looked a touch slow and a little lightweight but has a lovely touch, felt others weren't on his wavelength at times. I imagine he hasn't played in a game of that intensity in his life though. He needs a a few cameos then a full pre-season.

[terry_macss_perm]

Given the circumstances I thought he did well, he will be a great asset once he’s adjusted to the pace of the game here, would love to see him start in the FA CUP

Can’t see that happening on Sunday, unfortunately. Short turnaround after an intense 60 mins and concerns about his calves. I’d have thought it too much of a risk to give him a start v Shrewsbury.

[Keith Lard]

This game will do him the world of good. Yes it was a bloody difficult and high paced game but nothing beats actual match practice. It gives you the feedback you need to take back onto the training pitch when learning the tactical side.  Delighted we got through this one with a win and giving minutes to both Minamino and Fabinho.

I saw a lot to be encouraged by with Minamino’s performance.  Beautiful touch on the ball and tremendous work rate. That’s the basis of being a successful Liverpool player. Give him time though. Remember it took the likes of Fabinho and Chamberlain several months to get up to speed!  But all in all very encouraging.

[RedForeverTT]

At one point I was hoping Klopp would sub him because he was quite far off the pace.

Then I realised it took 6 months for Fab to get up to speed. Even for someone familiar with the league like Ox took 3-4 games. Shaq still couldn’t come to grips with our play 2 years on.

[Kopenhagen]

Let's face it, barring injury he wasn't getting a start this season until at least the very end - he's being trained up into the tactics. Let's reserve judgement till next year.

Exactly. We can only really judge him starting next season. He will improve tremendously under our staff; whether that'll be enough for the team, time will tell.

[mc_red22]

At one point I was hoping Klopp would sub him because he was quite far off the pace.

Then I realised it took 6 months for Fab to get up to speed. Even for someone familiar with the league like Ox took 3-4 games. Shaq still couldn’t come to grips with our play 2 years on.

That's one way to kill the guy's confidence before he's even got going.

[jonkrux]

I'm sorry but some on this thread are looking into this situation far too much for me...
The lad always wanted the ball. Tight spaces or not, it doesn't matter. He showed himself every single time. Off the ball he was tidy, but never had a chance to show what he is capable of. Salah perhaps should have passed but it wasn't to be. For his league debut, it was almost as difficult as possible. Wolves are a very good side, just give him the time and he will come good. Next season we will see what we have, it just takes a little time.

[Koparoo]

if Salah would pass, there is a chance he could have scored already tonight...

Not only that but he flew down the pitch to catch up to Salah and offer him the supporting option - so I didn't think he was too slow. Couple of other nice vignettes in what was a cauldron of a game.

I think he was still playing 'his' game and showing for lots of balls - but they weren't quite 'our' type of options - so he was largely ignored/bypassed. As others have noted, that requires time in training and games. But I saw some good elements (for Klopp to work with!!).

Not sure if he will so much sub for Mane or Salah (and he is some time away from being another Bobby - everyone is, though) - but if I was Shaq/Ox/Lallana... I'd be getting a little nervous   

[Max_powers]

Almost all players that we sign take a good 6 month or so to get used to the system.

Fabinho, Robertson, Keita, Ox, Gini etc all looked a little rusty and out of depth for few months before looking boss. I expect the same of Takumi. Even though RB Salzburg play a similar style to us, just the physicality of the league will take time getting used too.

I wouldn't be judging his true level until next season.

[harleydanger]

Was really surprised he came on for Mane and Origi didn't

still find that a bit baffling

Wolves were sitting deep so they could spring Traore, meaning Orgi's main weapon, which is pace, was neutralised.

I can see why Minamino was used, probably better in tight spaces and can slip into the midfield three, meaning we could switch between 433 and 442

[Coolie High]

At one point I was hoping Klopp would sub him because he was quite far off the pace.

Then I realised it took 6 months for Fab to get up to speed. Even for someone familiar with the league like Ox took 3-4 games. Shaq still couldn’t come to grips with our play 2 years on.

I don’t get that last line about Shaq, have we been watching a different player?

[Desert Red Fox]

Tough game for him to debut (at least in the League) but he did fine. He obviously needs time to get up to speed but I think some promising signs are there.

Hope we see more of him as the weeks go by!

[Fordy]

Was really surprised he came on for Mane and Origi didn't

still find that a bit baffling

It was the right thing.

You've to think a game goes on for 90 plus mins. Mane is a world class player with extremely high work rate and pace. He's a threat to other teams but we started to get overrun in midfield and our full backs needed more support. If Milner or Lallana  would of been fit he would of come on. Push Ox up top because really with his ability to shoot from range he's a danager but we couldn't get him to do his busting runs because Wolves started to control midfield.

If Salah would of played OX in then you would of thought great move Klopp.

We also need a player with pace to come on later as Wolves get shattered.

Mimamino worked his socks off.. tough PL debut but he's needed and we normally give players plenty of time to settle in. Can't judge him yet.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Klopp explained that bringing on Origi would have been too attacking that early in the game, and playing Minamino gave us more tactical flexibility as he can play multiple positions without a problem [although he's best suited in a central position in between the lines]

[d.arn]

He's clearly hungry for the ball, calling for it all the time, either to feet or pointing into space. Good to see. However, it felt like he was sometimes making slightly odd runs and taking up difficult positions. Quite a few times he was calling for the ball while being in very crowded areas, and wasn't really an option for the player on the ball. But he'll get used to our attacking play and will be fine. Klopp is excellent at slowly introducing players, look at Fabinho. Minamino will be great for us next season.

[KillieRed]

Looked a bit off the pace, a full pre-season will sort that. Oh and time playing with the good lads.

Could have had a goal if Salah had passed it when he was wide open.

[MNAA]

He did ok but he is far from the level we want him to be eventually. If Keita or Lallana or Milner was on the bench, Klopp would have sent either one of them on instead of him. From now until the end of season and pre-season, it’s all about getting him up to speed with our system, pace and intensity

[Roger Federer]

Interesting that he played in the midfield 3 in the second half ahead of Ox who got pushed forward. Makes me wonder what he proper position will actually be going forward.

He did? Looked more like both him and Chamberlain played wide in a 4-2-3-1 before Fabinho came on. It was 4-3-3 after that, only with Salah/Origi as the central striker, and Minamino and Firmino in the wider areas.

[JC the Messiah]

He'll be fine.

His first touch (I think) was a sublime bit of skill, and although he was on the periphery at times, there were others in the side who weren't as dominant or influential as we'd like/expect. Fabinho hardly set the world on fire when he came on, and we know what an excellent player he is. Gini didn't have his finest game, etc.

Minamino will be a great signing, I'm pretty sure of it.

[gazzalfc]

There is a reason Klopp needs 6 months to bed in new signings to our system. He was never going to slot straight in and be as incredible as he was at Salzburg   

Can't judge him based on last night. He was a signing based on his availability for next season. I'll judge him at the start of next season.

Has to be a certain starter on Sunday though so lets see