Liverpool Football Club has confirmed the £7.25 million signing of Japanese attacking-midfielder Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg.
The Japanese forward will move to Anfield when the transfer window opens on January 1, after successfully completing a medical on Wednesday.
According to Transfermarkt, 'A fantastic price for a player, who has recently seen his market value upgraded from £4.5 million to £11.25 million'. "Seeing a player move from Red Bull Salzburg to the best club team in the world, highlights that we have a very good international reputation," Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund said on Thursday. "In Takumi, we are losing a fantastic person and great player, with whom we had a very successful five years with many highlights."
Minamino was also excited about the move. "Salzburg will always stay in my heart," Minamino said. "But I have developed as a player but also as a person. I learned a lot from my teammates, coaches, and people here. ... Liverpool is a top team, and it is an honor to go there. I will give everything for the team just like I did for Red Bull Salzburg."
For Liverpool, Takumi Minamino is the first arrival of the 2019/20 season. "This is great news, a fantastic signing," Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said. "Takumi is a fast, very clever player who can always find space between the lines. He is brave with and without the ball. A true team player. He always tries to get the best out of his play to support others."
In 22 games this season, Takumi Minamino has scored nine goals 11 assists. What is most important for Klopp, the 24-year-old Japanese attacking midfielder can play various positions in the attack and even further back in central midfield.
Klopp already highlighted Minamino's abilities ahead of Liverpool's decisive group stage Champions League clash against Red Bull Salzburg on December 10. Asked about in-demand striker Erling Haaland, Klopp pointed out that Red Bull Salzburg has several top players in their squad.
It is indeed Salzburg's most significant strength to identify and develop players that can play a variety of positions. It is a big part of the philosophy that has been first outlined by Red Bull director of sport Ralf Rangnick and then was conceptualized on the field first by head coach Marco Rose and then Jesse Marsch.
“They are very aggressive, they almost jump you,” Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp said about Salzburg’s playing style after the Champions League match in early December. “I couldn’t have more respect for what Salzburg is doing here, the way they play football.”
"Our match plan was very good, and the boys did their best to execute it," Marsch said after the game. "We always need to play with pressure, and with the diamond, it was excellent.”
Minamino was undoubtedly a big part of that match plan. The match against Liverpool highlighted the many strengths of the Japanese attacking midfielder. The Japanese attacking midfielder completed 39 of his 69 overall actions. Two out of his four dribbles were successful, and he had five touches in the box, showcasing his ability to take part in dangerous attacking situations. And that was in a game in which he struggled.
Overall, his numbers are even more impressive. Minamino completed 50.4% of his dribblings this season and had 4.01 touches inside the box. Furthermore, the 24-year-old won 38.4% of his offensive duels, highlighting his ability to play in a high octane press system preferred by the Red Bull setup.
Nonetheless, it will be a big jump for Minamino from the Austrian Bundesliga to the English Premier League. But the 24-year-old's career statistics at Red Bull Salzburg highlight that he could very well make the jump. Minamino has scored 64 goals and 44 assists in 199 career games for Salzburg.
Numbers that caught the eye of various European top clubs. Minamino also had offers from Borussia Mönchengladbach and Milan but jumped on the opportunity to play for Liverpool. "I always thought that I can play in the Premier League one day," Minamino said. "But I never thought that I would be able to play for that team and I am very excited."
