Report: Klopp could do U-turn and end up selling ‘outstanding’ player if Diaz signs for Liverpool

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Liverpool could make a new addition to their squad over the weekend. Luis Diaz looks likely to be a Liverpool player by Monday.

That is obviously great news for fans. A new forward has long been on The Reds shopping list. It’s brilliant to see the club move decisively for a player who has reported to be a top target.

It is potentially more ominous news for Takumi Minamino. The Telegraph report this morning that Diaz’s arrival could mean that Liverpool offload the 27-year-old before Monday’s deadline.

Bad news for Taki

Liverpool reportedly rejected approaches for Takumi Minamino just last night. Monaco and Leeds United were credited with making enquiries about the 27-year-old.

That appeared to reaffirm Jurgen Klopp’s belief in the Japanese. The manager had claimed that Liverpool “need him (Minamino) desperately,” earlier this month in the Metro.

But given the events of this morning and Diaz’s imminent arrival, it now looks as though Minamino could be surplus to requirements after all.

It’s hard to see how he gets game time over a signing that could end up costing up to £50m.

Minamino was already seemingly behind a midfielder, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, in Klopp’s forward-line. The addition of Diaz will push him further down the pecking order

Should Liverpool cash in

The interest from Monaco and Leeds shows that Minamino isn’t short of admirers. Those two clubs are well-known for having a shrewd eye when it comes to signings.

That means that should Liverpool decide to sell their man, they should be able to at least double the £7.25m they paid Salzburg for him in 2020.

Minamino clearly has talent. But for one reason or another, it hasn’t quite worked for him at Liverpool. Although Klopp has previously called him “an outstanding talent”, his words haven’t been reflected on the pitch often enough.