Takumi Minamino looked off the pace in a rare Liverpool start.
On a day where the conversation surrounded VAR and refereeing decisions against Liverpool, the Japanese International’s quiet performance didn’t go unnoticed.
The former Salzburg man was often bullied off the ball by Brighton’s players, looked out of place of didn’t do himself any favours as he started as part of the midfield three.
Jurgen Klopp often sets up the Liverpool side with three midfielders. However, with Minamino, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, and Mo Salah all in the starting eleven, we expected Takumi to start in the role of a number 10.
This wasn’t the case for him, and fans were quick to question whether it was the right decision.
In all honesty, his optimum position under Jurgen Klopp is yet to be discovered. In an episode of the Blood Red Podcast, Minamino’s former manager at RB Salzburg, Jesse Marsch, said that he was best suited to perform the role of a false 9, as done by Roberto Firmino.
"Marsch said: “I think he could be good in Roberto Firmino’s position where against the ball, he is ready to do some pressing, but then with the ball, he comes into almost a 10 position for build-up and gets in the box to score goals.”"
Jurgen Klopp has tried him out on either wing, as a false 9, and even as a number 10. However, he hasn’t consistently played in one position for a prolonged period. This led one fan to question what Minamino’s preferred position is.
What is Minamino’s position? Is he a midfielder, winger, striker??? Guy has been here for almost a year and we still don’t know
— @Relvassss new acc (@LFCRelvas) November 28, 2020
During pre-season, Minamino slowly seemed like he came to life at Liverpool. His goal in Liverpool’s loss in the Community Shield against Arsenal gave fans the hope that he was taking steps in the right direction.
He took his form into the second round of the League Cup against Lincoln City, where he bagged two goals and assisted Divock Origi’s goal. Unfortunately for Minamino, he hasn’t been able to replicate this form in the Premier League or the UEFA Champions League on the rare occasion he has been given the opportunity to do so.
Another Liverpool fan expressed the view that the Japanese man was signed purely for the commercial opportunities that would arise via jersey sales in Japan. While this is definitely far-fetched, it has to be said that Minamino is yet to make any real impact on the pitch.