Takumi Minamino (南野 拓実, Minamino Takumi, born 16 January 1995) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Ligue 1 club Monaco and the Japan national team.
Minamino began his club career at J.League Division 1 club Cerezo Osaka in 2012 and in his first season he was named J.League Rookie of the Year. In 2014 he moved to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg with whom he spent four successful seasons. Following impressive displays for the club he joined Liverpool on 1 January 2020, winning the Premier League in his inaugural season.
Making his senior international debut for Japan in 2015, Minamino starred in the team that reached the final of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
At Salzburg, Minamino was played in a fluid attacking role that allowed him to move freely and 'unlock doors, pick a pass and move with an elegant gait.'
His comparatively slight frame has been described as an 'advantage' as his low centre-of-gravity means he can 'run past players with ease.'
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has heaped praise on him, saying, prior to him signing for Liverpool, 'I'd like to have Minamino in Liverpool. He's classy. The best talent.' After a game against Ajax in the Champions League, Klopp said 'He's everywhere, he defends like a devil and then offensively he's really involved.' |
