The Liverpool star shrugged Klopp’s claim; names the best place as role-playing sticks

Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino has insisted he doesn’t need praise from manager Jurgen Klopp to keep his level of motivation high.

The player of the Japanese national team has remained in the ranks of the Reds when he moved from RB Salzburg. In fact, he has also spent time away playing half of last season on loan in Southampton.

Klopp admitted it after approving the move player’s lack of playing time was “my fault”. He played a 7-0 win over Crystal Palace last December, but played just six minutes before moving south.

This season, Minamino has stayed on the sidelines of the Liverpool team. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old has appeared in every last eight matches in all competitions, albeit not as a starter.

His best moment in that run was when he scored a goal right after entering defeated Arsenal 4-0. Klopp praised Minamino afterwards and his role on the team.

However, the attacker has insisted that he does not trust his manager’s encouragement to appear.

The star of Japan told Liverpool’s official website: “I always keep my motivation high, and the supervisor’s comments don’t necessarily add to that.

– It’s the job of professional players, and I don’t do anything special. Even though I only play a limited amount of playing time, I do my best to show 100 percent when given the chance.

“In order to do that, I have to prepare for it. It’s the job of professional players. But still, I’m very happy to have people who look at me and comment on good comments about me.”

After Arsenal’s victory, Klopp argued that Minamino was in fact Liverpool’s solution in several places. He can play across the front line, but also in a deeper role.

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As for what he thinks is playing best, the striker said: “My favorite place is to play closest to the goal, and I think one of my tasks is to score goals.

“But the manager decides where to play, and it’s good that he says I can play in many places because that’s one of my advantages. I’d like to play at a higher level in every position.

Minamino minutes are likely to increase in January. Indeed, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are on their way to the Cup of African Nations with Senegal and Egypt.

Something inspired by Minamino from Liverpool

One Liverpool player who has enjoyed the limelight in recent weeks is Diogo Jota.

The player of the Portuguese national team has scored nine goals in 17 matches, three of them in the last two games.

Minamino said of the 2020 acquisition from Wolves: “It is clear to everyone that he is suitable for this company.

– The statistics show it very clearly and also outside the statistics his work proves that he is one of the most important players in the club.

“Yes, this inspires me. There are a lot of great players on the team. It always helps me keep my motivation higher.”

Liverpool will return to the game on Saturday when it meets Wolves in Molineux.