Thread by @babuyagu

Interesting perspective on Minamino from Ben here.

I would say ignoring my personal thoughts on him - it is do or die now this January. He either starts for us with our boys playing in the AFCON or he doesn't. And if he doesn't then there will likely never be a better moment to

https://twitter.com/BenMabley/status/1474240059876741120

use him. I would say in that case that Klopp's actions speak louder than words. For whatever reason - Klopp doesn't trust him

I would also say he has been a victim of circumstance. He arrived just as COVID hit and that destroyed his bedding in period with months without training

Plus he is clearly a combinations player. He looks good surrounded by others who like to play in small spaces centrally - like Keita. And perhaps had Naby been fit more, Taki would have featured more as the pair would combine well together.

And maybe you don't get the same synergy with him playing with the likes of Origi, Ox, Hendo, Milner etc. Players who are more direct or like to open up the pitch more.

Which brings us to the question of what direction the next evolution of the side will go in. I'd say signings like Elliott, Thiago, Naby, Taki - they suggest the direction we want to go in but fitness/settling in hasn't happened. Are we still going that way or will we look to

replace the ageing Origi, Ox, Milner & Hendo with younger versions of them? Therefore maybe Taki would still look out of place.

Ultimately, I think the question gets answered in the next 30 days for us. He is either kept and used, or isn't and is (probably) done.