Liverpool have had an excellent transfer window. The Reds have brought in Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas and have enjoyed great success. Despite not making one of the megabucks Bundesliga signings they were linked with, the Reds have their own answer to them according to Ralf Rangnick – the German coach believes that Takumi Minamino brings similar qualities to Kai Havertz.
Ralf Rangnick believes that Takumi Minamino brings similar qualities to Kai Havertz. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Liverpool and Havertz
Back in February, Melissa Reddy claimed that Liverpool wanted to sign Kai Havertz.
However, it was claimed that the price was too high for the Reds to consider a move seriously. The club were thought to value the German at half of what Bayer Leverkusen wanted for him.
The Bundesliga’s crown prince eventually moved to Chelsea in a £71m deal.
Minamino and Havertz
Former RB Salzburg manager Ralf Rangnick has heaped praise on Takumi Minamino and has compared him to Kai Havertz.
The influential technical director told Sky Sports:
“[Minamino] is one of five players in the Liverpool squad who, in the last couple of years, played for one of my clubs. This is definitely no coincidence, because Jurgen and his style of football is my similar to ours and my style of football.
“Minamino, I think if all players are fully fit for the most important games in the Champions League and Premier League, he will probably not be in the starting 11.
“But you can always bring him on as a sub. He is, similar to Dele Alli and Kai Havertz, very much of an all-rounder in the offensive positions. He can play almost any offensive position in a team like Liverpool.”
What RTK has to say
This is certainly great praise. Takumi Minamino cost Liverpool a fraction of what Chelsea ended up shelling out for Kai Havertz.
The Japan international has already started to show flashes of what he’ll bring to the Reds.
In the week we saw him tuck home with lethal ability against Lincoln City, enjoying the central role as opposed to his previous wing deployments.
Fingers crossed we’ll see more of Taki this season, judging by Havertz’s start the Reds forward could have a better season.