Rush The Kop
Fansided

Liverpool 1-0 Everton: Five things we learned – Minamino will get stuck in

By Russell Hughes

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Takumi Minamino of Liverpool runs with the ball during the FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 05, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Takumi Minamino of Liverpool runs with the ball during the FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 05, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Liverpool 1-0 Everton Takumi Minamino
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Djibril Sidibe of Everton is challenged by Takumi Minamino of Liverpool during the FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 05, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Takumi Minamino isn’t afraid to get stuck in

After about 20 minutes new man Minamino went flying in round the back of Glyfi Sugurdsson and left him crumpled in a heap while winning the ball. It was the type of massive, derby tackle we expect and love our players for and it was a promising sign from the new man.

He showed a lot of the nice touches and the high work rate we expected after watching the Japanese international play against us twice for Salzburg, and it was the type of challenge that you love to see from a player trying to make his mark in a foreign country, a new environment and a different team.

Apart from that moment of physicality, Minamino had enough to convince that he would be a good investment from the transfer crew. A few darts into the penalty area drew gasps from the crowd, while one missed header groans. But, it showed the forward getting into the right places and that was encouraging.

Playing against Everton is not an easy way to make a debut – it’s more of a baptism of fire. This might have been a cup game with reduced teams, but there wasn’t any reduced passion. All in all, a good start.

Home/FA Cup