TBR View: Liverpool should allow £7.25m player out on loan in January

Sun 13 December 2020 9:15, UK

Takumi Minamino has been at Liverpool for just shy of a year and a big decision is already staring Jurgen Klopp in the face.

The Premier League champions activated a release clause to sign the versatile forward from Salzburg.

He caught the eye during a game against Liverpool in the Champions League, scoring and registering an assist as Salzburg were beaten 4-3.

Minamino has been nothing more than a squad player since his arrival on Merseyside.

(Photo; Michael Regan; Getty Images)

At 25, there is plenty of time for him to continue developing.

It has to be a worry, however, that the likes of Curtis Jones and summer signing Diogo Jota have now overtaken him in the pecking order.

With that in mind, it wouldn’t be the worst decision in the world for Klopp to consider loaning him out during January.

In just under 12 months at the club, the Japan international has started just nine of the 26 appearances he has made.

The vast majority of those starts have come in the domestic cup competitions, with Minamino scoring three goals.

Given that he boasts versatility, it’s perhaps a surprise he hasn’t featured more often.

Injuries have stacked up at Anfield this season but the utility man has remained a peripheral figure.

Having spent a year largely on the sidelines it would be ideal for the player with 26 international caps to play some football.

A move to a Premier League club would be perfect, although his minimal impact at Liverpool might make Europe a more viable option.

(Photo; James Williamson; AMA; Getty Images)

Minamino could still become a hit at Anfield but sitting on the bench isn’t doing him or the club any good.

Klopp certainly rates him. After scoring twice against Lincoln in September, the boss called his performance .

Playing regularly somewhere for the rest of this season could see him kick-start his Liverpool career during 2021/22.

Klopp has a decision to make.

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