Liverpool player who’s ‘brilliant in training’ set for boost as teammate looks to leave – RTK View

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Takumi Minamino is set for a boost as Divock Origi reportedly makes the decision to leave Liverpool in the summer. The Belgian already has suitors.

There’s some chatter right now that Divock Origi has already made the decision to leave Liverpool. His contract expires in the summer and while the Reds can supposedly extend it by playing the Belgian in enough games, that doesn’t seem likely.

Fabrizio Romano fuelled talk of an exit on Thursday. He says Origi will leave and that AC Milan are already pushing forward with an offer. That’s something that syncs with a report from Calciomercato yesterday.

Origi would be a loss, of course. He has a legacy at Liverpool and one that means fans will never forget him. There is so much competition at Anfield, however, that the forward just doesn’t play. Not that he’s the only one in such a position.

In fact, Origi leaving Liverpool could mean big things for Takumi Minamino.

Takumi Minamino set for Liverpool boost

Now, we can’t imagine Liverpool sign a forward to replace Origi. They already have Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, after all. In fact, we imagine Diaz was the Origi replacement – offers from elsewhere just forced the club into an early move.

The other forward is Minamino, of course. He’s a player limited to cup games and the odd showing off the bench but is an absolute squad player. Anything he gives is a bonus – a similar role to Origi in recent years.

And if Origi leaves, that role is entirely Minamino’s. It means more games, more responsibility and a higher place in the ‘rotation’. The Japan international will get opportunities he otherwise wouldn’t have.

At 27, too, Minamino knows he can build something, too. All of Salah, Mané and Firmino will be beyond 30 this season – their time to move on is nearing. Minamino might not win the fight for places against them but their replacements? Maybe.

All in all, Minamino is someone worthy of more minutes. His goals en route to the EFL Cup final were vital and he actually has two Premier League goals despite not playing 90 minutes this season. We don’t mean a full 90, either – his total minutes stand at 89.

We also know that Minamino is well regarded at the club. James Milner recently pointed out that he’s ‘brilliant in training’, for instance, and there’s a sense he can earn more time.

Origi’s exit almost certainly gives him that.