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‘High quality’: Klopp says Liverpool man was good last night but is so much better in training
Jurgen Klopp was delighted with Takumi Minamino last night, but the Liverpool boss has claimed that the Japan international wasn’t as good as he has been in training recently.
Minamino is one of Liverpool’s most exciting players to watch, but he’s nowhere near the top of the pecking order. He has to show his class in cup games like last night, and he arguably managed to do it with a goal in the 62nd minute.
The Reds went on to win the game 2-0 thanks to a second goal by Divock Origi six minutes before the end of normal time. Liverpool didn’t play well, but the most important thing is the win, and Minamino played a massive part in helping them get there.
The Japanese attacker was the ‘most dangerous’ player on the pitch, but Klopp liked him more on the training pitch than he did against Preston last night.
Klopp: Minamino is much better in Liverpool training
The Liverpool boss said, as per the : “Taki is high quality. Taki’s problem is… actually, there is no problem apart from the other players in his positions are really good and thank God for us they are not injured.
“That’s it. Taki is absolutely fine, Taki is an outstanding moment, training-wise much better than he showed tonight but he was the most dangerous player and scores a goal, which is really important.
“He understands our game as well really well, so you can throw him in and he can be immediately a massive part of our football. Tonight he was, obviously. Taki was good, but we all know he can be even much better.”
Minamino’s stats vs Preston
Minamino played the full 90 minutes against Preston last night and got the all-important opener. He impressed Liverpool fans, especially in the second half, and his stats look good as well.
The Japan international had 60 touches of the ball, completed four out of his six attempted long balls, two out of his three dribbles and maintained a 78 per cent passing accuracy, which is acceptable for a winger. ()
However, Minamino is capable of a lot more. He would’ve struggled against a better team last night, but the potential is there for everyone to see and it’s up to him to replicate his training form in actual games.
