English Premier League
Liverpool star speaks out on his frustration at the club and what he wants
Liverpool star speaks out on his frustration at the club and what he wants.
Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino admits that his frustration at being overlooked in the first-team selection is natural and only serves as motivation.
Minamino has been on the fringes of the team for much of his time at Anfield.
The Japanese international joined the reds from Red Bull Salzburg but has struggled to usurp the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
He scored a 95th-minute equaliser for Liverpool in their League Cup penalty win over the Foxes, scoring at Anfield on Wednesday night.
However, Minamino has failed to start a single Premier League game this season with all of his six appearances as a substitute.
But, the 26-year-old is determined to turn his fortunes around, insisting that he is at the best possible club.
He said in Liverpool’s matchday programme: “As a player, I always want to play every match.
“I think a kind of frustration is common for the players (who don’t play) but I like to turn this frustration into positiveness with my attitude.
“I put in a lot of effort every day to play more and to get game time. I want to play more games and I want to prove to myself that I can do much better, so I use my frustration to turn everything positive.
“But I am at the best club in the world and I can spend the best time of my career at this club.
“As I have said before, I would like to contribute to this club as much as possible. That is the best thing I can do.”
Mainamino has had most of his chances in the cup competition, as the reds tackle Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup early next year.
Klopp is keen to keep the sensational forward at Anfield amid his lack of playing time with the pair in regular dialogue and Minamino acknowledges the effort of the German.
He added: “I have been given more game time in the Carabao Cup, which is a great opportunity for me.
“It is a chance to show what I can do and to prove myself and I am happy that I could contribute to the team’s wins. I hope I can continue to do more of the same.
“The manager always tries to keep the players’ motivation higher. When I’m not playing in a match he always speaks to me and helps keep my motivation high.
“He is always very fair to every player so I quite admire his management skills.”
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