0:28 With Jurgen Klopp set to sign his fourth player from Ralf Rangnick’s production line, the former RB Leipzig boss says the Liverpool manager ‘doesn’t need to thank’ him
Where does he play?
Minamino has primarily started as a central attacking midfielder or winger for Red Bull this season but can also play as a wide midfielder. The graphic below shows his influence and impressive returns in the Champions League this term.
The heatmap below further emphasises his considerable coverage from box to box, while he also primarily looks to pass forward or to an overlapping runner down the left flank.
But his knack of scoring or teeing up team-mates is his key attribute and the shot map below reveals his economy, with most of his shots coming from inside the box after carving clear-cut opportunities.
His precision passing has created numerous opportunities for his team-mates – and the graphic below shows how he has carved out openings in the Champions League.
Minamino appears to fit the Klopp mould, being just 24 years old, having a high work rate, versatility, a clinical edge and eye to thread killer balls for team-mates to finish. At just over £7m, he could prove to be quite a bargain.
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‘It’s a no-brainer for Liverpool’
Analysis from Sky Sports News’ Vinny O’Connor…
“Minamino has impressed in Red Bull Salzburg’s two games against Liverpool in the Champions League. He scored at Anfield and impressed on Tuesday night over in Salzburg.
“In the current market he’s arguably worth around £20m, perhaps even more than that, but he has a release clause of £7.25m. It’s a no-brainer from Liverpool’s perspective.
“It makes sense to make the move and accelerate their interest given he is being chased by a number of Bundesliga and Serie A clubs. Manchester United are also being linked with a move as well, but at the moment, it appears Liverpool are best placed to complete a deal and look favourites to bring him to Merseyside.”
A Villa vs Liverpool
December 17, 2019, 7:30pm
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How to follow the January transfer window
Sky Sports will bring you the very latest news from the January transfer market with the return of three shows.
Start your day with Good Morning Transfers at 9am as our team of reporters bring you the latest news and insight. Transfer Talk then follows at midday delivering analysis of the biggest stories. Then join us at 7pm for the definitive round-up of the day’s news with The Transfer Show.
Meanwhile, the Transfer Talk podcast will also be back at the turn of the year with more expert analysis from here and across the continent.
And as well as tuning into Sky Sports News, don’t miss a thing with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
Sourse: skysports.com
