Liverpool transfer news: Minamino ‘won’t be at Liverpool next season’ after major development – expert
Takumi Minamino will “not be at Liverpool next season” after his latest goalscoring herorics.
That is according to former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan as he ran the rule to Football Insider over a fringe player with an impressive record this season.
Minamino, 27, scored both of Liverpool’s goals with emphatic finishes as they secured a 2-1 FA Cup triumph over Norwich City on Wednesday night.
It kept Jurgen Klopp’s side on course for what would be an unprecedented quadruple on a night when 10 changes were made to the starting XI following last Sunday’s draining League Cup win over Chelsea.
Minamino made a rare start – he was joined by Divock Origi and Diogo Jota in the three-man attack – but demonstrated his eye for goal once again.
He scored twice in the first half to take his tally to six goals from just eight starts this term, and nine from 22 matches in all competitions.
“I can tell you, he won’t be at Liverpool next season, not with a record like that, for someone of his age who doesn’t play that often,” Whelan told Football Insider.
“If you’re young and emerging, or at the end of your career, you’re happier or more willing to be a back-up or fringe player, especially in such an amazing squad.
“But, when you’re at your peak like Minamino, you need to be playing regularly and starting.
“The more Liverpool stay in all the competitions, the more chances he will get. But there’s no way he’s starting the big games when Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz are all there.
“I think he’ll get a move in the summer, 100 per cent. Maybe not in the Premier League, he could go back abroad. But, for sure, he will go as he’s an amazing player and won’t get enough games at Liverpool.“
In other news, Liverpool have been hailed after agreeing terms on a landmark deal.