Takumi Minanimo shares what he and Wataru Endo have been saying about the next Liverpool manager

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Reaction continues to pour in after Jurgen Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool was announced.

After a wild day on Friday, Klopp’s announcement that he’s moving on at the end of the season is still making headlines. Following Liverpool’s game on Sunday, we saw players like Andy Robertson publicly give their take on the news. Virgil van Dijk was another to say a few words.

Former Reds stars have also been quick to comment. One of those today is Takumi Minamino. Minamino is in the unique position of being away on international duty with current Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo. And speaking to The Japan Times, the 29-year-old admitted that news of Klopp’s impending exit had come as a shock.

“My image of Liverpool has been equal to that of a team managed by Mr. Klopp,” Minamino said. “What he has built has epitomized the Liverpool of recent times. It feels strange that will be gone. They are still in with a chance to win all titles available this season and I hope he gets his last hurrah.”

The now Monaco player also shared what he and Endo have been speaking about following Friday’s announcement.

“We’ve talked a bit,” Taki revealed. “We were wondering who the succeeding manager will be.”

Minamino shares Endo conversations

Of all the Liverpool players to be impacted by Klopp’s eventual departure, maybe Endo will feel the effects more than most.

The 30-year-old has turned out to be an excellent signing for the Reds so far. Nevertheless though, he was very much Jurgen’s man.

Beyond the ridiculously good coaching skills and man management of Klopp, it’s still up for debate whether Endo is good enough for Liverpool. There’s every chance that a new manager will come to the conclusion that he is not.

Of course, that’s true of every player when a new head coach comes in. Some favoured by the old regime will be seen as dispensable by the new. That’s just the way it is.

For Endo though, you get the feeling that he’s soon going to have to prove himself all over again at Liverpool.

Having got himself settled after a late summer move and a difficult start, that will be really disappointing for the Japan captain. It also might be a frustration for him that he’s the only member of the Liverpool first-team currently not with the squad.

Maybe Endo joined the team meeting where Klopp gave the news to the players via video link. Perhaps he had a separate face-to-face just before, or after. But if it were us, we wouldn’t want to be away from the club just now.

Still, Endo is a focused and determined individual. Whoever ends up following Klopp, he’ll back himself to win them over. And so will we. As for Taki, nice words from a player who should have played more under the German.