Arsene Wenger’s Takumi Minamino assessment should make Jurgen Klopp take notice

Arsene Wenger has hailed Takumi Minamino as an "artist" following his superb goal in Southampton's draw with Chelsea.

The on loan forward put the Saints ahead before the Blues levelled in the second-half courtesy of Mason Mount's penalty.

Minamino was a deadline day signing as he left Liverpool in search of regular minutes.

The Japanese star's potential has long been known, but he has struggled to regularly produce at Anfield.

On the south coast though he showcased his quality with a sublime finish.

Having been sent clear by Nathan Redmond Minamino showed the composure to deceive Edouard Mendy which then allowed him to tuck the ball away.

He did so despite the on rushing Cesar Azpilicueta looking to prevent him shooting.

And while Wenger slammed the defending he also spoke highly of the 26-year-old's finish.

He said on Bein Sports: "I like it very much. Redmond gave a great ball to Minamino, but what is very interesting for the strikers to watch is the number of times Minamino lifts his head to see where the keeper is.

"I think you see it twice clearly and he's so composed despite the fact he's under huge pressure.

"This guy is an artist in his mind, but I would say it is as well an art of bad defending by chelsea.

"But what the striker does is exceptional."

Minamino had been unable to convince Jurgen Klopp that he deserved a regular role at Liverpool.

The forward had only started twice in the league this season despite the Reds having to deal with a host of injury problems.

Klopp has conceded that Minamino was not afforded enough opportunities, but expanded on the reasons for that.

He said: "We thought about it and Takumi is an incredible player but we didn’t give him enough chances. That’s the truth.

"And that was for different reasons, sometimes it was just because of his size and that was because of our problems in defence – we were not tall enough and then with Takumi on the pitch we had to think how could we do that."

Source: Read Full Article