Takumi Minamino and Liverpool were simply not made for each other

There was optimism surrounding Takumi Minamino when he joined Liverpool from RB Salzburg for a transfer fee of €8.50 million during the January 2020 transfer window.

The Liverpool supporters saw what the Japan international could do first-hand when he played against the Reds in the Champions League back in October 2019.

Liverpool won the group stage clash 4-3 at Anfield, but Minamino was exceptional for his side on the night. The 27-year-old found the back of the net.

Minamino's numbers at RB Salzburg were very solid. The forward scored 64 goals and registered 44 assists in 199 appearances for the club.

So, when Minamino joined the Reds two months later, most Liverpool supporters were very excited.

However, there is no denying that the forward has struggled since arriving at Anfield. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has not really given Minamino much of an opportunity.

The Japan international has only made 49 appearances for the club's first-team. Minamino has found the back of the net 10 times and registered three assists for Liverpool.

We aren't entirely shocked that he has not been given much of an opportunity at Liverpool, though.

The reality is, Minamino has been competing against the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino for minutes on the pitch.

The aforementioned players have delivered the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Premier League title for the Reds.

Minamino spent the second half of the 2020-21 campaign playing for Southampton (loan spell) as a result of his lack of game time for Liverpool.

However, his loan spell was a failure in the end. Minamino only made 10 appearances for the Saints.

Despite everything that has gone against Minamino since signing for the Reds, he said last year that he was committed to playing for the best club in the world.

As quoted by The Mirror, the forward told the club's official matchday programme the following: “As a player I always want to play every match.

“I think a kind of frustration is common for the players (who don’t play) but I like to turn this frustration into positiveness with my attitude.

“I put in a lot of effort every day to play more and to get game time. I want to play more games and I want to prove to myself that I can do much better, so I use my frustration to turn everything positive.

“But I am at the best club in the world and I can spend the best time of my career at this club.

“As I have said before, I would like to contribute to this club as much as possible. That is the best thing I can do.”

Despite Minamino's ambitions, it is quite clear that he does not have a future at Anfield. With the club signing winger Luis Diaz from Porto last month, we only see the Japan international's game time decreasing even more.

We believe that Minamino would be wise to secure a move away from Anfield. The 27-year-old is too good to be sitting on the bench during his prime years. Footballers only get one career at the end of the day.

Liverpool could potentially make a profit on Minamino. The forward's contract expires in June 2024. Minamino possesses a current market value of €12 million.

Only time will tell where the 27-year-old's long-term future lies. When Minamino does eventually depart Liverpool, he will be leaving having helped the club secure a maiden Premier League title.

With that being the case, we will never forget the Japan international's contribution towards the club.

On another note, we wish Minamino all the best for the remainder of the season.