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Takumi Minamino

aRdja

By aRdja,
in FF - Football Forum

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Takumi Minamino appears to have played his final match for Red Bull Salzburg after missing their 2-2 draw with Hartberg on Saturday – the club’s final match before a two-month winter break.

 

Liverpool are on the verge of signing the Japan international for a bargain £7.25m after it was revealed earlier in the week that the Reds had accelerated their plans to sign him.

 

And with details emerging about how the club’s transfer guru / sporting director Michael Edwards worked behind the scenes to secure the deal, it seems Minamino’s last game for the Austrian champions came against his would-be next employers during last Tuesday’s Champions League clash.

 

And according to the latest reports, Minamino will now complete his move to Liverpool on January 1 and has been slotted in to take his place in their matchday squad for the first time on Sunday 5 January when they face Everton in the FA Cup third round.

 

After a hectic December and festive period, Klopp is likely to continue utilising his squad for cup competitions and widespread reports believe that the 24-year-old could feature in the match at Anfield.

 

Minamino has twice faced Liverpool this season the Champions League and he left a huge impression on Klopp’s players, with their stars reportedly urging their manager to snap him up after last week’s game, very much unaware that the wheels were already in motion over the deal.

 

It has emerged that Liverpool had been keeping tabs on Minamino since 2013, it is understood they accelerated their pursuit in November after learning of interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United and a number of Bundesliga and Serie A clubs.

 

Sources believe it would be an “outstanding” deal as Minamino’s current market value is at least three times the value of his buy-out clause and the club are confident – providing there are no issues with his medical or personal terms – the deal will be completed early next month.

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halewood pete
halewood pete

Team sheet showing Gini, Mini ,Mane, Mo.

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Alan Sex

Alright motherfuckers. Alan Sex is bringing you the one, the only, the definitive Minamino song.    You already know the tune. You already know the motherfucking words. Old school muppet show i

No2
No2

I watched him closely on Tuesday  night and he spent the last half an hour telling our players about his release clause. I heard that Edwards then text Mike Gordon for approval and the cunt nearly cra

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Sugar Ape Grand Master

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Takumi Minamino to Liverpool: Who is Reds' transfer target?

 

skysports-minamino-takumi-graphic_486505

 

 

Liverpool are in talks to sign Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Takumi Minamino in January - but what will the Japan international bring to Anfield?

 

Minamino impressed against the Reds in October with a goal and assist as the Austrian side narrowly suffered a 4-3 defeat at Anfield and caught the eye once more in the return fixture, when Liverpool won 2-0 on Tuesday. His £7.25m contract release clause has attracted interest from Premier League clubs.

 

Despite missing the mid-part of this season, he has been in scintillating form in the Austrian Bundesliga, too, with five goals and six assists from just 11 starts. For Japan, he's maintained that impressive ratio with 11 goals in 22 games.

 

Minamino would become the fifth current Liverpool player signed from a production line linked with Red Bull's head of sport and development Ralf Rangnick, joining Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino.

 

"The style is very similar to Jurgen's," said Rangnick. "It's proactive, it's high pressing, counter-pressing. Once we have won the ball we don't want to waste any time by square passes or back passes.

 

"We are trying to play forward as quickly as possible, trying to create chances, trying to score as many goals as possible.

 

"It's definitely no coincidence that he has four former players of mine because it shows that he is, in fact, looking for the same kind of players, with the same assets, with the same mentality as we do."

 

Where does he play?

 

Minamino has primarily started as a central attacking midfielder or winger for Red Bull this season but can also play as a wide midfielder. The graphic below shows his influence and impressive returns in the Champions League this term.

 

skysports-takumi-minamino-graphic_486505

 

The heatmap below further emphasises his considerable coverage from box to box, while he also primarily looks to pass forward or to an overlapping runner down the left flank.

 

skysports-takumi-minamino-graphic_486505

 

But his knack of scoring or teeing up team-mates is his key attribute and the shot map below reveals his economy, with most of his shots coming from inside the box after carving clear-cut opportunities.

 

skysports-takumi-minamino-graphic_486505

 

His precision passing has created numerous opportunities for his team-mates - and the graphic below shows how he has carved out openings in the Champions League.

 

skysports-graphic-minamino_4865101.png?2

 

Minamino appears to fit the Klopp mould, being just 24 years old, having a high work rate, versatility, a clinical edge and eye to thread killer balls for team-mates to finish. At just over £7m, he could prove to be quite a bargain.

 

'It's a no-brainer for Liverpool'

 

"Minamino has impressed in Red Bull Salzburg's two games against Liverpool in the Champions League. He scored at Anfield and impressed on Tuesday night over in Salzburg.

 

"In the current market he's arguably worth around £20m, perhaps even more than that, but he has a release clause of £7.25m. It's a no-brainer from Liverpool's perspective.

 

"It makes sense to make the move and accelerate their interest given he is being chased by a number of Bundesliga and Serie A clubs. Manchester United are also being linked with a move as well, but at the moment, it appears Liverpool are best placed to complete a deal and look favourites to bring him to Merseyside."

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