Scout Reports

What can FPL managers expect from new Liverpool signing Takumi Minamino?

It’s early days, but Japanese star Takumi Minamino‘s (£6.5m) move to Liverpool could be the January transfer window’s stand-out piece of business.

The former Red Bull Salzburg attacker has joined the Reds for £7.25m – an almost laughably small fee in today’s inflated market given his record at the Austrian side.

We have assessed what Minamino has already achieved and what he can deliver for Fantasy managers for the rest of the 2019/20 season.

THE HISTORY AND STATISTICS

Minamino joined Japanese side Cerezo Osaka’s youth team at 12 and progressed through their academy system.

He made his first-team debut in 2012, ending that season with one goal from five appearances.

Clear progress was made over the next two seasons – he scored eight times in 38 matches to win the 2013 J.League best newcomer award – and that prompted a number of European clubs to show interest in signing him.

Red Bull Salzburg won that particular race and Minamino quickly established himself in the Austrian outfit’s midfield before being employed as a winger, on either flank, as a second striker and even a centre forward in later campaigns.

That versatility is one of his key strengths – in the 20 games he played in all competitions for Salzburg this season, he was used in five different roles across the midfield and attack, scoring nine goals and setting up another ten.

Overall in Austria, Minamino’s attacking stats are deeply impressive, with 64 goals and 44 assists across 199 appearances.

He’s also shone for the Japan national side, scoring 11 times in 22 appearances.

COMPARISONS

The following table – collated from figures for the 2019/20 season so far – highlights Minamino’s ability to both feed off chances and create them.

But what is most impressive is how well he has performed in the Champions League; a competition considerably more demanding than the Austrian Bundesliga.

Although the 24-year-old was already being monitored by Liverpool, he had the good sense to showcase his talents by scoring against them at Anfield in a thrilling 4-3 Champions League loss.


Mins per shotMins per shot in boxMins per shot on targetMins per chance created
Minamino (ABL)43.36575.853.5
Minamino (CL)3039.210242.5
Firmino26.731.967.970.8
Mané33.739.766.144.1
Origi44.750.313480.4
Salah22.227.246.551.5

THE PROSPECTS

Despite being mostly employed on the flanks by Salzburg this season, Minamino’s natural fit at Liverpool could well involve providing cover for (and eventually replacing) Roberto Firmino (£9.3m) through the middle – a position he occupied for the 70 minutes of his debut against Everton in the FA Cup.

That’s certainly the opinion of the coach who handed him his Cerezo Osaka debut, Levir Culpi, who has talked of the need for Minamino to become ‘an absolute regular, not a handyman’ at Liverpool, adding that the Japanese star can be ‘a more determined player’ than Firmino.

The new signing’s English debut, in the FA Cup against Everton, strengthened that notion as Jurgen Klopp started him down the middle, supported by Divock Origi (£5.2m) and Harvey Elliott (£4.5m) on the flanks.

Minamino had 33 touches and enjoyed an 86.4 per cent pass completion rate as he made a promising start to his Liverpool career.

But in the short term, the new signing will be hard pushed to dislodge any of the Reds’ fabled front three from their starting roles, so his versatility should at least guarantee him action from the bench as a replacement for any one of that trio of attackers, or as the more advanced member of the side’s midfield three.

With Champions League duties returning in February, Klopp’s need to rotate his squad could prompt him to start Minamino in a Premier League fixture or two.

And should the Reds go on to win the league title as early as their current healthy lead suggests they might, more consistent domestic action could come his way during April and May – particularly if Liverpool are still in the hunt for a second successive Champions League crown.

Minamino has consistently delivered both goals and assists in his career to date, but his move to the Premier League is a big step up in quality compared to the Austrian Bundesliga.

Then again, his record in the Champions League suggests he relishes the challenges posed by tougher opponents.

Klopp was his usual effusive self when talking about his new signing’s debut:

Super, outstanding. Exactly the player we wanted, exactly the player we wished for. Your first game in a team you don’t know, if it’s a settled team it’s already difficult – this team we threw more or less on the pitch with two sessions together. And then showing this kind of game understanding, football skills are exceptional, attitude is outstanding, led the chasing pack so often in different situations, which I loved.

That love won’t buy him too many Premier League starts for now – unless key injuries work in his favour.

But his versatility should gain him some pitch-time and there is a very real prospect of much heavier involvement if Liverpool continue on their all-conquering way.

And if he is consistently employed in the Firmino role, his FPL classification as a midfielder could mark him out as a late-season bargain offering the potential for explosive attacking returns.

633 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BananaMan
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Evening All,

    Alli --> 9.3 Mid for 22 & 23 ONLY.
    Need to do it tonight to beat the Alli price drop!

    A) Mahrez (My preference!)
    B) Martial
    C) Maddison (Injured?)
    D) Other

    Thanks!

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A
      As it’s a two weeks punt

    2. Saro0808
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Richarlson

    3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Easy.....Richarlison.....Form, fixture and new manager bounce ....

      1. BananaMan
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        IF you already had DLC would you pick him??

        1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Yes

    4. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dilva
      Sarr
      ??
      I'm also doing same transfer

    5. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mahrez or Dilva. Toss a coin and hope for the best.

      1. BananaMan
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Dilva and not Bilva??
        Dilva has played 7 minutes vs Everton in the last 7 games, can't see him suddenly getting a start and/or 90 minutes!?

        1. Liber
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          But he played 90 in the cup game.

        2. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Well rested.

    6. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Richalison

  2. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which combo from gw24 onwards

    A: Robbo + Martial + Rashford + Grealish
    B: Aurier + Mane + DCL + Grealish

    - Leaning towards A as it gives more flexibility as i can replace Martial, Rashford with other players down the line plus gives me a chance to upgrade Grealish if required.

    - Whereas with B, Mane is a good shield due to his ownership esp in a dgw. However, having both Grealish and DCL will be difficult to upgrade without downgrading one of Salah/Mane.

    - The other benefit with A is that i can hold Robbo for the long term whereas with B, i doubt i will be able hold both the mids after if the likes of grealish/dcl go off form

    1. BananaMan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A seems the most sensible. Not 100% sure about a Man Utd double up!

    2. Saro0808
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Easy A. B has Aurier in it.

  3. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Kane out until April !

    Breaking news from Spurs.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tack

  4. FPL FREAK
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Henderson.
    TAA. Soyuncu. Lundstram.
    Mane. KDB. Sarr. Grealish.
    Vardy (c). Rashford. Ings.

    Subs: Button. Traore. Kelly. Simpson.

    GTG...??

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, v. Nice

      1. FPL FREAK
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you..

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

    3. leo_messi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      live my FPL nickname alone 🙂

  5. Tickle Me Enzo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What's the chances of KDB being rested at Villa do you reckon?

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Slim

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Very unlikely since he was taken off early. He’s essential to them

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Zero I hope.

  6. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Stuck with what to do with moura

    A) keep, involves playing vs pool but some decent fixtures
    B) transfer for -4 to grealish/Sarr
    C) keep this week then reassess

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aren't A and C the same?

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        A means to keep for good fixtures

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          So it is a state of mind? Keep and see what happens. Could be decent if plays CF.

          1. Rhodes your boat
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Probably will do, was just tempted by sarr’s fixture this week

    2. Liber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Geting him out for minus 4 makes no sense as he has 2 good fix after liv.

  7. Whats the Huth
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    G2G?
    0.2 ITB

    Henderson
    Lundstram. TAA. Sidibé
    Maddison. Grealish. Mane. KDB. Salah (C)
    Vardy. Ings.

    McGovern. Söyüncü. Ayew. Rico.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tasty

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Best team I have seen with Salah and Mane and decent bench........well done and good luck.

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Wowsers

  8. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Jimenez (3-4-3) or Doherty (4-2-2) for two weeks punt?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      *4-4-2

    2. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jim

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jim

  9. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best 2GWs punt for up to 9.0 for Alli;

    a. Willian
    b. Martial
    c. Dilva
    d. Bilva
    e. Any other suggestion?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same boat. Dilva?

    2. Saro0808
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Richarlson

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Richarlison

    4. Ayew Holding Mee Cork
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mahrez. High risk high reward.

    5. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mahrez

  10. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What to do here with 1ft and 0.5 itb?

    Pope
    TAA Robertson Aurier Rico Reid

    A: Pope to any keeper
    B: Reid to Holgate
    C: Aurier to Soy
    D: Aurier to Sidibé
    E: Aurier to Lundstram

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aurier to Holgate?

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A or D. I did A as I have 3 nice defenders this GW. I snapped Fabianski up

  11. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    All good to roll my FT here? Who to captain is so hard (as ever!)?

    Fabianski
    TAA • Söyüncü • Lundstram
    KDB • Salah • Mané • Richarlison • Grealish
    Vardy • Maupay
    (McGov. Greenwood. Rico. Aurier)

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lovely. Vardy? Even when he is cold he is hot.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. That’s who it is currently on.

        Tempted by Mo in the 5.30 Saturday KO!

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I wouldn't. Imagine how you would feel if Mane racks up a cricket score.

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Could captain him too 🙂

  12. Roysgotnoboys
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2 FT's - Is Salah > Mane worth doing or burn the transfer?

    Pope
    Lundsram, Soyuncu, TAA
    KBD, Maddison, Martial (C), Salah
    Jiminez, Rashford, Vardy

    0.0 ITB so other moves are tough, will likely ditch rashford > Ings to fund a defensive upgrade to Robbo or Van Dijk

    thanks

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pope > McCarthy?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Or Ryan or Henderson if you can afford them

        1. Roysgotnoboys
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks. That’s the problem, can’t afford Henderson or Ryan. Think I’d rather have Pooe than McCarthy, even with those fixtures

          Team has never been so stuck

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What Rafa says, Burnley getting sucked into relegation.

    3. Saro0808
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Drop pope,horrible fixtures ahead.

  13. dillydally1982
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Draft game - which order would you try and bring in these defenders (to replace Maguire & Davinson Sanchez)?

    Kolasinac
    Mendy
    Luiz
    Holgate
    Rudiger
    R James

    I'm currently on the above order.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Holgate then Luiz

  14. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Team gtg this week? Subs and captain correct?

    Fans
    TAA Soy Lunds
    Mane KDB Perez Martial
    Rash Tammy Vardy (c)
    Button Cantwell Rico Targett

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good

  15. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Moura owners what you doing?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Would keep

      I'm not an owner but I'll be looking at his involvement in next 2 games, decent price for a punt

    2. Liber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Keeping Moura for next two. Than reassess or selling for Mane for a hit or maybe keep later too.

  16. Lyonnais
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you rather get Martial or Richarlison?

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Martial

      1. Lyonnais
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        thx

  17. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Aurier to sidibe
    Or
    Grealish to Martial

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      First

  18. Sndeshdhkl
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    on wc..thoughts??
    ramsdale
    robbo holgate lunds
    salah mane kdb martial
    ings dcl vardy

    button soyuncu stephens dendo

    1. Liber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ramsdale? Would def not be having on WC. Otherwise solid. TAA instead of Robo for me.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ramsele - McCarthy
      Robbo - TAA

  19. JammySprat
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pick 1 - Sterling or Aguero?

    1. Nas
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      This week only - aguero, long term sterling

  20. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ramsdale out

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      reply fail

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Good, I thought he is injured 😀

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Source ??

  21. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who do I bench.
    A. AWB
    B. Haller

    1. Nas
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Awb

  22. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hi....best kane replacement please? (and Salah enabler).... have got vardy and maupay.

    A....jiminez

    B.... dcl and 1.9m

    Rivals I'm chasing have ings so not going there. Thanks

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jimi could do very well at home to Newcastle

    2. Nas
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I would get jimenez unless the extra cash is needed for Liverpool triple

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Can afford jimi and still do alli to Salah for 24

  23. fplking14
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Richarlison, Sarr or Traore?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Richarlison

    2. Nas
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      In that order

  24. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Kane out until April

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Drunken fool....wait till Jose hears about it

    2. Nas
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dang it! I liked people spending 11m on a milijojevic

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        This

  25. Harper (No more Penandes)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Half tempted to do the old switcheroo Salah > Sterling (C) this week and back again for GW 24. I do think the Spurs-Pool game will be tight and Sterling has really great away stats. One caveat to that is he was absolutely awful in the EFL cup! :thinking:

    1. Leon_v
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I was going to do this exact move, as I have feeling Sterling hauls hard Vs Villa...and Spurs will have no choice but to park bus
      However, decided against, as would have to take a hit to bring Salah back, and I'm not chasing, so its a risk I don't need to take

      1. Harper (No more Penandes)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Not chasing, are you OR1? 😮 just kidding. The way I think about it if a FT is worth 4 points, Sterling (C) + KDB would have to outscore KDB (C) (he would be my captain otherwise) + Salah by 8 points. Easily doable if Sterling hits a brace and Salah blanks. Then there is the GW after that. Salah plays United, another tight game and Sterling palace.

        1. Leon_v
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Haha what I meant is im winning my money league so hedging rather than taking risks (14k OR)

          Yea I think Sterling will outscore Salah next 2 Gws

          Be painful though if it dont come off

    2. Nas
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If sterling gets benched you’ll have a pain in your chest watching salah score a brace

      1. Harper (No more Penandes)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Doubt that when he was rested against Everton and didn't play against Port Vale

  26. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which is a better team for GW23 onwards?

    Guaita (4.0)
    TAA, Soyuncu, Lundstram (Rico, XXX)
    Mane, KDB, XXX, Maddison (Cantwell)
    Vardy, XXX, XXX

    A) Kelly, Alli, Rashford, Jimenez
    B) Kelly, Salah, Ings, DCL
    C) Robertson, Grealish, Rashford, Ings

  27. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Finalized on Jimenez (c) - Gud luck every one

    1. CMJC
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’m nervous but I’m feeling it

  28. Doctor Evil
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    G2G or should I replace Mcarthy Son with Fab Rashford? On WC

    Mcarthy

    Soyuncu TAA Lundstram

    Mane Salah KDB Son Traore

    Vardy Ings

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Who would be the mid fodder?

  29. Henning
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any news om Maddison injury?

      1. Henning
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanx. Tempted to get Ayoze Perez instead to free up some money.

  30. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Somebody please help me understand .....I'm afraid I have missed something obvious.....over Half a million have transferred Vardy out over the last 8 days ??? What did I miss.....he is my GW capt ??

    1. Nas
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A lot of rage transfers. Missed two games. Caused many Red arrows. Rumors about an injury. Fickle fpl players...

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I hope he makes half a million people moan on this site about "bad luck" just after his incoming hat trick.......let the party begin.

    2. CMJC
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’m not sweating it - he just missed a couple of games and Rodgers is a bit vague...