Klopp: Wolves game was a big step for Minamino

[TLW]

Jürgen Klopp says that January signing Takumi Minamino took a big step forward after getting a extended outing against Wolves on Thursday evening.

Like many of Jürgen Klopp’s signings in the past, the manager has looked to ease the Japanese international into the Premier League.

But when Sadio Mane went down with a hamstring strain just after the half hour mark, he didn’t think twice to insert the 25 year-old into the action.

He displayed plenty of calmness in possession making 28 passes and a couple of dribbles.

It was his ability to be versatile in a number of formations which made Klopp sign him and the manager said that he showed that again against a tough opponent.

 

 

The Official site reported Minamino as saying:

"He's exactly the player we expected to get – super, super boy, super player.

“You saw so many things of his ability. This game was a proper fight and he was completely ready for that.

“We had to defend in a 4-4-2 then played offensive in our normal system.

 

"If now Div [Origi] is coming on, who would deserve it, 100 per cent, because he is in incredible shape, it’s really very offensive very early in the game.

He was fighting like crazy and closed gaps, was involved in a lot of situations. That was just a super start, to be honest. He’s pretty versatile so he can play different positions. 

“On (Thursday) night, it was exactly what he had to do and he did it. 

“It was a big step for him.”

The manager said that his performance is just a brief snapshot of what he can produce especially as he is still learning the ropes.

“For him, [it's] still kind of a new environment with a new team and then really adapting.

“That's what we see in training. Then we see, of course, more of all the finishing stuff, the creating stuff. 

“It's just the player we wanted and now he's ours."

Klopp also spoke about whether the minutes against Wolves will mean that he may not play a big role in the FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury on Sunday, especially as he battled through some calf tightness in the second half.

“With Taki we have to think about what we do exactly now because yesterday he played much longer than we thought.

"I have to see how he reacted now on the intensity of that game – I don't know him long enough in this part, so we have to see. 

“But each game helps for sure."

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[magicrat]

Bit OTT there from Kloppo. Quiet start for the lad is as fair as I can be.

[dockers_strike]

I disagree, I dont think the lad had a quiet game like some have suggested. Yes, baptism of fire maybe. I think he should have been played in by Mo on one breakaway and then who knows. He looked comfortable with the ball to me.

[TheHowieLama]

He had some loose touches but kept the ball really well in possession and showed he could go past fellas on the dribble.

 

I like him because he seems very much in the mold of our current front three - moreso than anyone else we have.

Also like the fact that he has played all three spots upfront in his short time here.

[rb14]

I love the guy and couldn't be more pleased he's signed for us. And when I see him take his first big step I'll be even happier.

[Strontium]

He looked like a world-beater as an opposition player at Anfield, I think that's why everyone has been expecting more from him than they normally would from a new signing.

[Bjornebye]

First 3 games

 

A Merseyside Derby cup game

 

Wolves away thrown on unexpectedly in one of the leagues toughest away games

 

A scrappy cup game against a lower league side who want to kick the shit out of you and don't let you breath on the ball

 

Lets give him a chance. 

[rb14]

He has as many chances as it takes. I'm just saying I'll be celebrating his big step when I see it.