Jurgen Klopp claims Takumi Minamino is in a ‘really good’ place and praises young debutants

Jurgen Klopp believes Takumi Minamino is in a ‘really good’ place after scoring twice during Liverpool‘s 3-0 triumph over Norwich in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. 

Minamino – who sustained a thigh injury earlier this month – marked his return to action with a goal in the opening four minutes of the game. 

The Japan international went on to add another to his tally in the 80th minute with a tidy finish inside the penalty area.  

As a result, Klopp was full of praise for the 26-year-old following the game. He hailed the forward’s ‘awareness’, ‘quick mind’ and finishing ability in his post-match conference. 

The Liverpool manager said: ‘Footballers want to play, that’s clear. He was with his national team, got injured and was then not fit so it was not like he didn’t play for 60 weeks.

‘Taki is in a really good moment. Stuff like this is not always easy but he is to character. I really enjoyed his game tonight. It was important for him and for us. 

‘So yes that will help him and help us. Players need time to get back on track after an injury. He is in a really good moment. He trained really well. 

‘He deserved his two goals. His first one was really good awareness, quick in mind and finished the situation off. 

‘The second one I didn’t really see 100 per cent but his acceleration into the box and his shot in small space was really good. And he was really good in preseason. No body has to worry [about Minamino].’ 

Klopp also said he was impressed with the Liverpool youngsters who got some minutes under their belt on Tuesday night.

Kaide Gordon became Liverpool’s fifth-youngest debutant and caught the eye despite snatching at a second-half effort while Conor Bradley was the first player from Northern Ireland to represent the club since 1954. Another teenager, Tyler Morton, was also brought on at half-time.

Speaking of Gordon’s performance, Klopp said: ‘There are a lot of thing to settle and to learn but there is already a lot of things that are there. We will treat him carefully. I am really happy he is here, he is really big talent. 

Then, on Bradley he added: ‘He is the first northern Irish player since 1954! Someone should have told me that before and I probably would have brought him up earlier. But he had a super game.’