Liverpool look set to complete the signing of Takumi Minamino in January, if reports in the Independent are to be believed.
The club has done incredibly to activate the Japan international’s £7.25m release-clause, which in this day and age, is nothing.
Liverpool made enough from their YouTube channel this year to pay for Minamino, in fact [Goal].
But who is he? We’ve taken a closer look…
Positions:
Minamino is incredibly versatile, first and foremost. This season alone in the Champions League, he’s played in three roles: as an attacking midfielder in a 4-3-1-2 formation, and both a right winger and an attacking central midfielder in a 4-3-3. For Japan, he’s played as a striker, but one happy to drop deep, in the mould of Roberto Firmino.
Injury record:
Very good, in short. Minamino has not been injured since 2017/18, where he had a ligament issue. In total, the 24-year-old has had three injuries and missed just 18 games as a result since his professional debut in 2012 – seven years ago. This is something the club value massively in potential new signings – a consistent ability to be available.
Minamino's injury history. Only three in his entire career. pic.twitter.com/QjlWM1tth4
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) December 12, 2019
Career stats:
Minamino, despite only being 24, has played 275 games and scored 80 goals for Cerezo Osaka 2012-2014 and Rb Salzburg 2014-2020. For his country, he has 11 goals in 22 appearances.
Best bits:
Minamino’s highlights on YouTube are stunning, but most players have incredibly compilations so we’re not pinning too much on this.
Still, it’s worth checking out!