Liverpool stars asked club to sign bargain forward after sensational display
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Takumi Minamino left Liverpool four years ago today after a mixed spell at Anfield, but the Japan international was labeled a "manager's dream" by Jurgen Klopp after his transfer from Red Bull SalzburgTakumi Minamino scored against Liverpool in 2019(Image: Getty Images)Takumi Minamino departed Liverpool four years ago, having secured 14 goals and three winners' medals during his tenure.He also exited Anfield having earned the accolade of a "manager's dream" from boss Jurgen Klopp as a £15.5 million ($20.5 million) transfer to Monaco was finalized, with the Reds more than doubling their outlay on a player acquired for just £7 million ($9.2 million) in January 2020. He wouldn't be the first player unable to dismantle this triumvirate as he faced an impossible task.With Diogo Jota entering the equation during the summer of 2021, Luis Diaz arriving 18 months subsequently, and Divock Origi continuing to deliver sporadic decisive contributions, it was only after his half-season loan spell at Southampton that Minamino thrived in his supporting capacity and Liverpool fans finally witnessed a genuine glimpse of the player their club had recruited.
Playing opportunities remained scarce as he managed just a single Premier League start during the 2021/22 season.Nevertheless, Minamino still contributed 10 goals across 24 appearances throughout the campaign, finishing as top scorer in both the FA Cup and League Cup while Liverpool pursued an historic quadruple, ultimately securing a domestic double.Minamino won several trophies at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Despite proving instrumental in the Reds' progression to Wembley, his reward for early League Cup goals against Norwich, Preston, and Leicester was to be dropped to the bench in favor of teenager Kaide Gordon for the semifinal second leg against Arsenal, before remaining an unused substitute for the final against Chelsea. His compensation for an FA Cup double against the Canaries, having been relegated to substitute duties in the FA Cup quarterfinal against Nottingham Forest, was exclusion from the matchday squad for both the semifinal and final.While Minamino would claim both trophies, the signs were clear regarding his future at the club, making his eventual departure unsurprising.
Yet Klopp was having none of it when responding to Minamino's exit, speaking glowingly about the player Monaco were acquiring and calling him a "manager's dream."However, the unfortunate reality is that his finest display at Anfield had actually occurred against Liverpool while still representing Salzburg. They were unaware that a transfer had already progressed significantly at that stage.Minamino had been monitored since 2013 when he was representing Cerezo Osaka, with Klopp also observing him during his tenure at Borussia Dortmund.