After a rather uneventful summer transfer window, Liverpool have all but made their first signing of the winter transfer window before it has even begun.
According to the Independent, the Reds are set to land RB Salzburg star Takumi Minamino in a £7.25 million deal in January.
Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund confirmed Liverpool’s interest in the player, whose deal with the Austrian side ends in 2020. So is Minamino a smart acquisition by Jurgen Klopp?
Minamino and his story
Having impressed in Salzburg’s visit to Anfield in the Champions League earlier this season, Minamino picked up a goal and an assist in that game and was crucial in the visitors making a statement on the night.
Though now knocked out of the competition, the 24-year old registered two goals and three assists in the group stages and caught the eye of many a team in Europe.
Minamino only moved to Austria in 2015 from Japan and took no time to cement his place in the first team, making 199 appearances for the club in all competitions.
In this time, he has managed 64 goals and 44 assists, playing across the frontline or even as an attacking midfielder.
His energy to constantly press the opponent along with his decision making make him a real danger for even the best of opponents, as he showed against Napoli and Liverpool this season.
Minamino is quick and adept at dropping back to help in the build-up play, while his ability to finish half-chances makes him that much more effective in the final third.
His offensive and defensive stats in the Champions League and also in the Austrian Bundesliga show that he is a perfect fit for Klopp’s style of play at Anfield.
Minamino a boost both on and off the pitch
Minamino’s ability to play across the front line means that Klopp could see him as a backup to his attacking options.
The 24-year old can also add energy to the midfield if needed and his experience will also come in handy.
He not only allows Klopp extra cushion during rotation, but will also give the manager a chance to play a slightly different system to the 4-3-3 that he usually sticks to.
Minamino will be happy to wait for his chances and could be an understudy to Roberto Firmino, who plays the false-9 role to perfection in Klopp’s system. He can come in for Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane as well and at just £7.25m, is a bargain.
Minamino may not have too much experience outside Europe but he has 22 international appearances and will allow Liverpool to break into the Japanese market with their new sponsors, Nike. So, he is a bargain buy in more than one way.
