Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Takumi Minamino deserves more game-time for Liverpool due to his ‘incredible’ form.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the Liverpool manager was asked about his current depth of attacking options. Klopp was keen to emphasise the players beyond his ‘first-choice’ options.
“It is crazy because we still have Divock and Taki on top of that,” said the 54-year-old. He then singled out Minamino as someone who has perhaps fallen victim to the added competition for places.
“It is incredibly hard for him (Minamino) and for me as well because it is really tough these kind of things. Taki is in an incredible moment.”
Plummeting new depths
Klopp’s words may be taken by some as simply a way of placating players who are on the fringe of his squad.
But it’s worth noting how valuable Minamino has been to Liverpool this season. Several of his nine goals across all competitions have been vital in maintaining The Reds quadruple dream.
He may not be getting many minutes of Premier League football. But there is great worth in having someone in your team who can step in and do a job in the domestic cup competitions.
People will rightly focus on the depth of Klopp’s more established attacking options. Liverpool currently have five supreme forwards battling over three places.
But depth is about more than that. It’s about having players with the mentality to know that they won’t be needed every week, but will do a job for the team when given the chance.
Solving past problems
It could be that Minamino leaves Liverpool this summer. He has shown enough this season to suggest that he could be a regular starter for most sides in the country.
But if he does decide to stay and fight for his place, the Japanese could become a real cult hero at Liverpool.
Not everybody can be a Mohamed Salah or a Virgil Van Dijk. But where Liverpool have faltered in the past is when their back-up players haven’t been up to scratch. Minamino has played a big role in solving that isssue.
Although the 27-year-old probably won’t be starting the biggest games for Liverpool anytime soon, there is real value in having a player of his quality in reserve.
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