Opinion - Takumi Minamino's time at Anfield has come to an end

Back in January 2020, Liverpool signed Takumi Minamino from RB Salzburg for a transfer fee of £7.65 million. 

The Japan international came to Anfield with a decent reputation. Minamino scored 64 goals and registered 43 assists in 198 appearances for RB Salzburg's first-team.

Therefore, we weren't surprised to hear Reds boss Jurgen Klopp speak positively about Minamino when he joined the club.

The German told the club's official website the following: “Takumi is a very quick, very clever player, he finds space between the lines. He is brave with the ball but also brave without the ball – a proper team player. He makes the best of himself for the benefit of others.

“His Champions League experience is a big bonus and coming from the club and organisation he does, we know he’ll be well coached, used to an elite environment and had all the right experiences.

“It is fantastic work by our football operations team in how they’ve handled this transfer. Michael Edwards and the team deserve a lot of credit."

But, Minamino's time at Anfield has been average. To be fair, it's not his fault. Minamino just hasn't been given a fair opportunity.

He has found the back of the net 14 times and secured three assists in 55 appearances for Liverpool's first-team.

Minamino was even loaned out to Southampton for the second-half of the 2020-21 campaign.

The reality is, Minamino is behind the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.

So, the Japan international will always struggle for opportunity at Liverpool. Therefore, it has been reported that the club will listen to offers for Minamino this summer.

A move away from Anfield would benefit both parties. Minamino could leave and play for a club where he is a regular starter. Liverpool could also make a profit on the 27-year-old.

Minamino is contracted until the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign. Transfermarkt value him at £10.80 million.

We can't imagine that Minamino wants to spend the prime of his career sitting on the bench.

One thing we will say about Minamino is that he possesses a superb attitude.

“I always keep my motivation high and the manager’s comments do not necessarily make it even higher,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.

“It is what professional players need to do and I don’t do anything special. Even though I play only limited amounts of game time, when I am given a chance I do my best to show my 100 per cent.

“In order to do so, I need to prepare for it. It is what professional players need to do. But, still, I am very glad that there are people who look at me and make good comments about me.”

With that being the case, we are confident that he could go reasonably far in the game.

On another note, Minamino has won the Premier League title, League Cup and FA Cup with the Reds. So his time at Anfield has been far from a waste.

We wish Minamino all the best regardless of where he plays his football. He is a loveable guy, which has been reflected in comments from James Milner in the past.

As quoted by This Is Anfield, he said: “Such a nice guy, you’re delighted for him every time he scores.

“He just carries on. Every single day he’s at that level. He’s brilliant in training, great temperament no matter what’s happening, and like I say, you can rely on him.

“He comes in and he keeps bagging goals – and important goals as well.”