Thread by @PremLeaguePanel

🔎 Takumi Minamino to Liverpool - an in-depth analysis thread:

Firstly, this is not just an opportunistic buy because of the price (£7.25M). And it’s not just a buy because of the tactical profile and fit of the player to the system

It’s both.

LFC not oil-rich. So they follow a model of saving money where they can (e.g.Rob,Gomez,Shaq & developing Trent) which gives them the cash to then splash out in key positions (Alisson,VVD+Fab which is the strong core this team is built on) has been followed with Minamino at £7.25M

2 sides to Minamino:
•PLAYMAKING- often drops deep from tip of diamond to take ball on the half-turn.Then breaks defensive lines with a penetrative pass or dribble due to his excellent close-control+speed.Takes creative responsibility as rest of Salzburg midfield is workman-like

•ATTACKER- instinctive actions in the final third. Makes intelligent runs into the box (e.g. Anfield – Assist and Goal). Speed. And powerful strike of a ball. Which means he’s even played in a front 2

May see more of this side at LFC as likes of Keïta are playmakers from deep.

Tactical roles

1. 4-3-3: Firmino deputy

•Minamino PLAYMAKING traits mean he can fit role
•Not played exactly this role but main role for Salzburg is at tip of a midfield diamond behind Haland+Hwang which is similar to a false 9 linking play whilst Mané+Salah run in behind

• Rest & rotation, especially when Firmino is in a tough patch of form.

Coincidentally Firmino has just hit one of these tough patches.
➢ 1 goal in his last 11 PL apps
➢ And not just his goalscoring - since Leicester (H) xA per game = 0.13 (0.22 and 0.25 in last 2 seasons)

➢Saw what happened when Firmino was injured at crucial part of last season at OT (dropped vital points in the title race) & the Camp Nou (Wijnaldum as a false 9- struggled)
➢As Firmino gets older,will need more rotation- now 28, (Minamino 24). Will prolong career at elite level

•A trait he has over Firmino is pace which will allow him to link play and then also to make runs into the box which he loves to do

This is especially relevant with LFC’s excellent service from their full backs

•Minamino’s attacking output is also on an upwards trajectory year-on-year even without a world class coach like Klopp (Marsch still v.good) which makes him even more suited to a forward role

Minutes per goal or assist:
- 2017/18- 134 mins
- 2018/19- 115 mins
- 2019/29- 84 mins

•Perhaps most importantly TM has the work rate Klopp demands in this role. Constantly closing down midfielders & defenders to win the ball

In the Salzburg-LFC matches, possession wins in final & middle thirds of pitch:
- Firmino- 6
- Minamino- 10 (LFC did have more possession)

2. 4-2-3-1: No.10

•TM not played in role exactly but played in front 2 of a 442 regularly for Japan.Often as deeper man playing off a main striker like Osako
•Firmino alternative as a 10 when Klopp switches to 4231
• Similar traits needed to false 9 role talked about earlier

• Plus TM has the work rate (as mentioned above) to drop into midfield so the midfield double pivot isn’t overwhelmed by teams setting up with a midfield 3

• TM at 10 will enable Klopp to capitalise on Salah’s phenomenal record as a central striker – since the start of last season, he has 17 goals & 4 assists in 17 starts

•System will become more important if LFC move for Sancho- TM at 10 need facilitates more permanent change to a 4231:

Salah

Mané Firm/TM Sancho

3.Attacking 8 in a 4-3-3

•When TM has played in a wide role, he’s often still played a bit narrower e.g. in a 4-2-2-2 (Anfield) as he just loves finding space in between the lines so it’s rare that he stays wide like a traditional winger.Wouldn’t be too dissimilar to a Klopp 8

3. Attacking 8 in a 4-3-3

•When TM has played in a wide right role, he’s often still played a bit narrower e.g. in a 4-2-2-2 (Anfield) as he just loves finding space in between the lines so it’s rare he stays wide. Wouldn’t be dissimilar to a Klopp 8

• Seen with how Henderson & Ox play the right-sided 8 role, Klopp demands the work rate to cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold as well as still pressing high when needed - as mentioned above, TM has the work rate for that type of role

4. Wide role

•As mentioned above,TM never really played in a pure winger role, like Mane & Salah do in LFC’s 4-3-3
• But as we saw with Coutinho, Klopp isn’t averse to playing a playmaker in a wide role- especially as TM does have a powerful shot & excels at playing thru balls

• And when Klopp wants to field TM AND Firmino and rest one of Mané/Salah but still keep a compact midfield, then it seems like a possible idea to play TM wide in a 4-3-3

Conclusion

•As you can see, TM’s biggest value is his potential to play a vast no. of roles
•Stylistic comparison: Del Piero type - tactically versatile as he can perform as both a playmaker and then his athleticism & intelligent runs also make him a direct threat in the box

Do you want some more Minamino content ???

Watch it here- ft @RamboFYI & @rajsinghchohan :