Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may have new weapon in title race thanks to ‘outstanding’ star

Brentford v Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp pre match

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Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino could offer Jurgen Klopp another top-class attacking option if his regular goal involvements continue. Concerns surround Klopp’s depth across his front three, but Minamino is making use of his chances and could become an important player if his contributions persist.

The 26-year-old impressed during pre-season, providing a goal and an assist in Liverpool’s final two friendlies against Hertha BSC and Osasuna.

He was yet to feature this season ahead of the Reds’ trip to Norwich City in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday.

But Klopp started him on the left wing, and Minamino fired Liverpool into the next round with a well-taken brace on either side of half-time.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and one of Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino are firmly Klopp’s first-choice front three, but is the Japan international staking a claim for a starting place?

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Admittedly, most of Minamino’s Liverpool appearances have come against ‘lesser’ opposition and in cup games amid rotation.

But he now has six goals and two assists in 836 minutes for the Reds since the start of last season.

A goal contribution every 105 minutes is an applaudable feat for a player to whom regular minutes have been alien since his move from RB Salzburg in 2019.

Minamino’s goal-contributing exploits have made him a valuable squad member and popular among the Anfield terraces.

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Since returning from a short loan at Southampton last season, one individual he’s impressed is current manager Klopp.

Ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Brentford on Saturday, Klopp has showered Minamino in praise and highlighted his loan stint as a significant boost to his development.

He said: “[Minamino] is an outstanding talent. Everything was difficult when he joined, and you need to get used to the Premier League.

“It helped massively going to Southampton and he came back a different player and a different package. Players need time. He used that time, and that is good.”

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Salah and Mane are likely to be absent in the new year due to their involvement in the upcoming African Cup of Nations.

It’s a scenario that will rightly worry Klopp and Liverpool fans, but Minamino’s form could go a long way in easing concerns.

A player of Salah’s magnitude will be difficult to replace, but Minamino will be in line to step in for Mane when he leaves to represent Senegal.

A front three of Jota, Minamino and Firmino is by no means a disaster and could even be an exciting prospect if Klopp’s Japanese ace continues to shine.

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