‘Going to find out’: BBC pundit claims we’re about to see if 27-year-old is good enough to stay at Liverpool

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The last few days have more or less summed up Takumi Minamino’s Liverpool career. First he missed a last minute open net against Arsenal on Thursday when it looked easier to score. Then on Sunday, he came on, took his goal nicely and generally looked sharp for the last 15 minutes against Brentford.

It has been a case of so near yet so far for the Japanese international over his Reds career to date. Ian Wright, who knew a thing or two about finding the net, says the next few weeks are make or break for him at Liverpool.

Speaking on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night, Wright said of Minamino, “We’re going to find out in this time what’s going to happen with him. If he can score goals then they’ll probably keep hold of him. But if he’s not going to score goals in this time when they need him then you don’t know what’s going to happen with him.”

It is surely a defining period in the 27-year-old’s career. The missed chance against Arsenal felt like a sliding doors moment for him. Score and he secures himself a big moment in the absence of regular starters. He would also have equalled a record that puts his name with club legends.

Miss, as he did, and he confirms that he can’t be relied upon in meaningful games. That’s why it was so important for him to get a goal so soon afterwards.

A timely reminder

The miss felt like the beginning of the end for Taki at Liverpool. Being left out of the starting 11 yesterday felt like confirmation of that.

So a reminder that he can score goals, even if it was a tap-in, was very welcome.

It may be harsh to expect a player who has featured so little to fill the boots of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. But those are the standards that Jurgen Klopp has set at Liverpool.

Unfortunately for Minamino, Wright is likely to be on the money. But after a goalscoring display yesterday, there is every chance he will start the game at Arsenal on Thursday. Another chance to put the demons of that miss in front of The Kop to rest could be exactly what he needs.