Jurgen Klopp hails ‘incredible’ Takumi Minamino and claims he delivered ‘his best game’ for Liverpool after scoring twice in their FA Cup win over Norwich… as Roy Keane says the Japanese forward ‘deserves a lot of credit’ for his Anfield display
- Liverpool beat Norwich City 2-1 in their FA Cup clash on Wednesday evening
- Takumi Minamino scored two goals to send them through to the quarter-finals
- Jurgen Klopp said it was the best game Minamino had ever played at the club
- The Liverpool boss said Minamino was a ‘constant threat’ during the game
Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on Takumi Minamino for his performance against Norwich City in the FA Cup on Wednesday evening.
Minamino bagged a brace to see Liverpool win 2-1 at home and secure a place in the quarter-final of the competition.
Klopp said Wednesday night’s fixture against Norwich was the ‘best game’ Minamino has had at the club – describing him as a ‘constant threat’ to the Canaries.
Takumi Minamino was the star of the show during Liverpool’s FA Cup triumph over Norwich
Minamino – who an unused substitute at Wembley – opened the scoring in the first half after he drilled it in from close range.
The Japan international added to his tally just before the halfway mark – firing the ball into the roof off the net after being left unattended during a Liverpool corner.
Speaking about the goalscorer’s performance after the game, Klopp said: ‘His impression was obvious with scoring two goals and not only that – he had a lot more top, top football moments.
‘He was a constant threat tonight, he was mobile, he was quick. He was technically on an incredibly high level; it was really windy tonight and when you then saw how he controlled the balls when he had to bring down the high balls, that was all really, really, really good.
Minamino bagged a brace to see Liverpool win 2-1 and secure a place in the quarter-finals
Jurgen Klopp said Wednesday night’s FA Cup clash was the best game Minamino had played
‘I’m not surprised, I know how good he is and tonight he showed it to the public again, which is absolutely great.’
The Liverpool manager went on to discuss Minamino’s desire – saying his character is ‘top-class’.
When asked about whether the fans were seeing more of the 27-year-old’s desire, Klopp said: ‘Absolutely. He shows everything, he has everything. That’s how it is, that’s why he is our player.
‘Taki came in, in a difficult time, coronavirus was there full throttle, no supporters in the stadium, in a good football team obviously which was used to a lot of things.
‘He had good moments, played really good football but now he needed time and in the moment he looks absolutely on the peak of things he can do.
‘I’m very, very happy for him that he can show that. Obviously there are more difficult situations than Taki’s out there in the world but it’s obviously not so easy to be in and out and sometimes these kind of things.
Roy Keane says Minamino deserves a lot of ‘credit’ for his performance on Wednesday night
James Milner described Minamino as a ‘patient’ player that has been ‘brilliant in training’
‘But his character is obviously top-class, which means when he is needed or when I give him the opportunity, he is delivering on a top-class level. I’m really happy.
James Milner couldn’t help but agree with the Liverpool boss when it came to speaking about Minamino’s performance.
He said: ‘What a guy, what a player. He’s patient. Every time he comes in and he delivers. He just carried on. He’s brilliant in training. Great temperament. I’m absolutely delighted for him.’
Minamino also caught the attention of former Manchester United star and TV pundit Roy Keane.
Keane said Minamino should be ‘delighted with his performance and that he ‘deserves a lot of credit’ for his contribution.