Jurgen Klopp praises Takumi Minamino amid reports of Liverpool transfer deal
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised Red Bull Salzburg forward Takumi Minamino as rumours regarding a January transfer gather pace.
The Japan international has scored seven goals in 20 league and Champions League appearances for the Austrian club so far this season and has impressed in attacking midfield, false nine and wide roles.
Is Minamino set for Liverpool? Five things to know…
- Minamino has scored seven goals across league and Champions League games for Salzburg this season.
- The Japan international can operate anywhere across the forward line as well as in central midfield.
- Reports are strongly linking him with a January move to Liverpool for just £7.25m.
- The abolishment of the “cup-tied” rule means he would be able to play Champions League football for Liverpool this season.
- Klopp said Minamino as a “very good player” at his latest press conference.
Minamino is said to have a release clause of just £7.25m which, according to reports, Klopp will look to trigger once the January transfer window opens.
Speaking at a press conference after extending his Liverpool contract until 2024, the German tactician was rather complimentary of Minamino.
“He is a very good player,” Klopp responded when asked about the 24-year-old.
German coach and current sporting director of Red Bull GmbH Ralph Rangnick — who has previously managed Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Joel Matip — recently stated his belief that Minamino’s style suites Klopp perfectly, thanks to working under very similar playing conditions at Salzburg.
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“The style is very similar to Jurgen’s,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s proactive, it’s high pressing, counter-pressing. Once we have won the ball we don’t want to waste any time by square passes or back passes.
“We are trying to play forward as quickly as possible, trying to create chances, trying to score as many goals as possible.”
Rangnick added: “It’s definitely no coincidence that he has four former players of mine (Firmino, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane and Joel Matip) because it shows that he is, in fact, looking for the same kind of players, with the same assets, with the same mentality as we do.
“And, I think, out of the top clubs in Europe, he’s probably the coach with the highest number of former players from us.”
