Liverpool ready to move for Salburg star Minamino in the January transfer window
Premier League
By
Mirror
| Dec 12, 2019
Liverpool are set to make a move for Takumi Minamino in the January transfer window.
The Red Bull Salzburg forward, who caught the eye when playing against Liverpool in the Champions League, is available for just £7.25million due to a release clause in his contract.
The potential transfer portrays Jurgen Klopp - and his team of advisors - as once again moving away from landing big-money signings - Allison, Virgil van Dijk, etc. - and towards a shrewd way of conducting business.
Klopp needed a world-class keeper and center-back and went for broke to land the aforementioned duo. The results were immediate, with the Reds winning the Champions League last season.
The summer window presented Klopp as content with the team he has assembled.
He made it clear he no longer needs to sign big-money players - he can instead scan the market for the next best thing, rather than the current.
With this in mind, Liverpool signed two young talents in Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliott; both of whom have represented the first team, but are both in training for the day they will week-in, week-out.
This January it appears that Klopp is planning to do the same thing.
Liverpool are running away with the Premier League title, and look almost certain to win it.
What's more, they're competitive in the Champions League, meaning a big-money buy would only disrupt the harmony he has on Merseyside.
Klopp, as earlier mentioned, has identified Minamino as a potential target and the Japanese star fits the bill for two reasons, in addition to staying true to Liverpool's new philosophy.
Firstly, from a solely business point of view, Liverpool are looking to expand and are keen to break into the Far East market.
The club made this clear in recent court hearings as the Reds won a case to leave kit sponsor New Balance for Nike.
But Minamino isn't just a potentially shrewd bit of business because he will increase Liverpool's appeal in Asia, he's also class.
While everyone is, understandably, waxing lyrical about Erling Haaland, his RB Salzburg team-mate has largely gone under the radar, until now.
Minamino might not get the regular goals like Haaland, and may not have that 'traditional striker appeal', but when has Klopp favoured this?
Instead, the Japanese forward is comparable to the jewel in Klopp's Gegenpressing crown: Roberto Firmino.
Capable on either flank, or as a loan striker, Minamino is a tricky individual who reads the game differently.
Curiously, in 22 games in all competitions this season Minamino has more assists (11) than goals (nine).
Liverpool's defenders struggled against his movement and work-rate in their 4-3 win over RB Salzburg, with the Japanese star even getting on the scoresheet.
It is understood that it was his name on the lips of players following the match - not Haaland's - with senior stars suggesting the Reds should sign him.
Firmino has plenty left in the tank, but he will inevitably slow down at some point in his career and finding a replacement for him isn't as simple as scanning the transfer market.
The Brazilian is a one in a million player who needs Klopp and his style of play as much as the Liverpool boss needs him.
The Reds manager knows this, so signing his heir makes perfect sense. In short, he's planning for Liverpool's future, and it looks bright.