Latest Liverpool signing Takumi Minamino is reportedly set to be named as a substitute for the Reds’ weekend showdown with Tottenham.
According to James Pearce of The Athletic, Minamino will “probably start on the bench” for their Saturday evening match against Jose Mourinho’s side.
Pearce was asked:
‘Do you think Ox is fit enough for a full 90 and could Minamino replace him? Seems like he has to start judging by our options and I wouldn’t expect him to make the full game.’
He answered:
‘Oxlade certainly looked sharp when he came on last weekend and has another full week’s training under his belt. I think Minamino will probably start on the bench.’
Should Takumi Minamino start against Tottenham?
Yes
No
The Japanese winger signed for the club at the start of the month from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of £9 million according to TransferMarkt.
Since then, Minamino, who is currently valued at £11.25 million by TransferMarkt, made his Liverpool debut in the 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Everton in the third round of the FA Cup.
The versatile player played the majority of the match before being substituted in the second half. Despite not scoring or assisting the winning goal in the match, Minamino still earned himself a match rating of 6.0 according to WhoScored.
But now in the build-up to his first Premier League fixture as a Liverpool player, Minamino is now reportedly not expected to keep his place in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI for their weekend match.
TIF Tactics
Minamino would have been thrilled to make his debut for the club against their close city rivals, as would the Liverpool fans be thrilled to see him playing.
But now as Klopp will shift his focus back over to the Premier League, he will undoubtedly be picking his best possible team to take on Tottenham. With Minamino starting in the centre-forward position against Liverpool, it would be likely that Liverpool’s first-choice striker Roberto Firmino would be taking his place, should Minamino indeed be named as a substitute at the weekend.