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. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can we settle the captain dilemma for this gameweek please, I have Mane and Salah so I feel I’ve got enough Liverpool coverage without captaining them. This leaves it between KDB and Vardy... who to go with and reasons why please??

    1. KDB (avl)
    2. Vardy (SOU)

    Cheers all

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm worried about what impact David Silva will have to Kdb. Vardy out of the two for me

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

  2. kime67
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Kdb was very deep against everton.

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He was. He still came close to an assist at the end

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

        Things on twitter saying this ‘deep’ role is a myth

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          What things? As a City season ticket holder, it’s really not. He definitely played it against Everton. He can still return from there but for me he is only captain material when further forward. It’s very harr to predict which role he will get game to game, there so many interchange players. The only one who has a pretty consistent position when he plays is Dilva, central AM. The fact he is rested is enough to put me off KDB Captain this week.

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

            How much do you pay for City season tickets? Curious.

            1. St Pauli Walnuts
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Think might was about 550 mate.

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

                That’s not bad at all. Interesting.

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

            Who’s our captain, Vardy?

            1. St Pauli Walnuts
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              I was on him and might still, Southampton ate much improved defensively though.

              Leaning towards Salah as he has looked very dangerous lately, out of position and probably on pens. Spuds get dominated very easily, they’ll probably try and park the bus but I’m not convinced they’ll be very good at it.

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

                Yeah mate for me it’s between KDB and Vardy. Not fully confident with Kevin but like you say expecting a very different SOU team to when they played LEI last time, Ndidi is missing too which could have a big impact.

                I fancy Liverpool to do well, could but 3 or so past them if they go for it. But I have both Mane and Salah and could be putting my eggs in one basket if I was to (C) Salah too

                1. St Pauli Walnuts
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  I have the same 4 to pick from as you then. I know what you mean and it is a risk but I don't see anything other than a Pool win against Spurs, they've looked so bad lately, the 5-0 against Burnley was a complete anomaly and Burnley are rubbish at the moment anyway.

                  I wish I could be confident KDB gets the attacking role as I would definitely opt for him then, almost set and forget.

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

                    Maybe his presser will give more away like who might be rested, but then again this is Pep.

                    Good luck for the gameweek mate

                    1. St Pauli Walnuts
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      You too mate!

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Added protection to centre backs with Everton playing 2 up top? How did City lineup against United?

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

        KDB was in the front 3

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

          It was a false front though.

    3. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dont like the fact that he can play deep sometimes.

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

        This is a complete myth... look at whoscored.com and look at his heat maps for the last few games

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I just did. Barely gets near the penalty box against Everton. How is it a myth? He doesn’t play the same position every game so you can’t say it’s a myth because of his heatmaps in some recent games.

          Didn’t realise that site has such cool functionality though, ta!

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

    Maddison+Willems to Cantwell+TAA?

    Cantwell will be bench player

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You need TAA for the DGW.

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

        Hence why I’m buying him

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Go for it. Can you not fund it another way? Maddison is good

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

      Could backfire this week (if Maddi is fit) but yes, I think

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

    So, now, Son will be CF instead of Kane.Oooh no, you're not going to trap me again you spoiled crying kid.

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      We're all getting sucked in. Just watch

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

        No, no, he manage to screw me two times (last time as a captain), the thrid will not.

  5. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Easiest Captain choice this year so far...

    (K)unnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Be nice to have Kun for this week.

  6. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Obviously we have a DGW34, when are the other DGW's and the blacks GW's likely to be this season ?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DGW24

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Bgw 28

      1. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Who will have a blank?

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DGW24
      BGW28
      GW34 will be a double for some and a blank for some
      DGW37

  7. Hodg55
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Alli >> ??

    A: Sarr
    B: Richarlison
    C: Save FT

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

      B

  8. dshv
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play baldock and lund together

    Or

    One of them with rico????

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

      Play both bcz Rico is waste

  9. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mad to do Alli -> Martial? Not so keen on Richarlison as would bring DCL in later

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not Mad. Do you want Martial long term?

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

        Yeah looking to keep him medium term. Got 2FTs so can change him to someone else next week if necessary

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

          Two next home games tempts me

    2. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sounds good to me

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

    Thank God the break is done with. Need some FPL back in our lives.

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Amen.

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Long 8 days 😛

    3. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, I thought i was ready for a break after GW21 finished but i just missed fpl. The addiction is real

    4. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I was about to die

    5. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Can’t wait till it’s over

    6. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Who u captaining buddy?

      I'm tempted to risk it on Salah/Mane

    7. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      The struggle was real!

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

      It is funny how this seemed a long break after the busy season but it was roughly a week 😀

  11. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What's the current situation with Willian Vs Pedro?

    Is Willian favoured and nailed or could Pedro get a run out the next two?

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pedro is finished

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

      Not even close. Willian is close to essential.

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

    Moura > Fleck good option?

    Would make it possible to bring on both Mane and Salah for gw 24

  13. Baganuva Hatty
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Spurs are really poor so I think mane away is a better shout than vardy or KDB.
    That said, if you are protecting your rank go vardy. I am

  14. Mr Bird
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think Mahrez will start this weekend?

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If I owned Alli, I'd take the risk

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        And sell for Mahrez

      2. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Spot on... this is exactly why i’m asking

        1. Mr Bird
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          would be going again for Salah before GW24

  15. CHARLIE HULL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How nailed is Aguero?

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

      Not nailed enough for his price.

  16. Arse Craic
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pep on Leroy Sane...
    "He is doing incredibly well. His knee looks really good so I don't think it is going to take too much time.
    I think in the next few weeks he can come back."

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Oooh

  17. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2FTs and no pressing issues. Can either do;

    A) Dendonker > Cantwell
    Or
    B) Ramsdale > keeper up to 5.1m

    Which is best?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B. Get Ryan!

      1. Arse Craic
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ryan is shite

        1. Oscar Slater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I thought "shite" was banned these days? 😀

          1. Arse Craic
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Shite and feck are good 🙂

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

    On Wildcard.
    Have 1 m in the bank to upgrade Sterling to Salah for gw24

    Anything you should change?

    Ryan Button

    TAA Lundstram Soyuncu Sidibe Webster

    Mane KDB Sterling Perez Traore

    Vardy Jimenez Calvert-Lewin

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

    Ryan Button
    Taa Soyuncu Sidibe Lund Rico
    KDB Mane Richarlison Maddison* Cantwell
    Rashford Ings Jimenez

    Wildcard still active
    Should i do Maddison and Jimenez to Vardy and Traore or leave it be?

    Thanks!

  20. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pick ANY 1 - A) Adam Traore,B) Grealish

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

      Same doubt, currently on Traoré myself

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

        Grealish sub is haunting me

  21. yanky
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    best option to replace Alli for next two gameweeks only?

    a) Martial - NOR, liv
    b) Traore - NEW, sou
    c) Maddison - SOU, bur
    d) Mahrez - avl, CRY
    e) Willian/Pulisic/Mount - BUR, new

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

      Maddison, keep an eye on injury though. If he's set to miss SOU, then Mahrez imo.

  22. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    First sub to replace Maddie just in case: Grealish (MCI) or Lundstram (WHU)?

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lundstram

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

        Cheers!

    2. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Why to sub Lord Lundstram

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

      Lundy will score

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

    Repost: 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

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

      A

    2. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      b

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

    Just rewatched the Maddison incident. I would be very surprised if he was to be ruled out because of that. Got an albue to his head, but it didnt look that harsh. He got up and walked off himself.

  25. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any reason to hold off from Alli to Salah tonight?
    Have 4.1itb so it's do it now, do it tomorrow or get a non-Kdb city mid for 2 weeks

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Get Salah now, don't get all these plans for other options pre-DGW

  26. The Mighty I
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Aurier > Kolasinac for free?

    Or could go the way of Soyuncu (already own Kasper)

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

      Go with Kola, soyboy is too boring

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Well one cant tackle, has zero positional sense and awareness, and prone to errors, and the other is exactly the same

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

        Lol

      2. The Mighty I
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Quality lol

  27. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Maddison?

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing new. Should get info tomorrow

  28. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    For anyone with this misconception that KDB plays deep, I encourage you to go on WhoScored.com and view his heat maps for the last few games. They’re all similar, even those where he has hauled versus his blanks...

  29. gelisiguzel
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I cant decide which move would be the best for next two weeks? Could you please share your thoughts? Thanks in advance!
    Kane & Alli is gone
    A)Salah & DDCL/Ings
    B) Sterling & Abraham
    C) Aguero & Richarlison

    Current squad is
    Ryan
    Taa, Lunds, Aurier
    Mane, KDB, Madd, Alli
    Vardy, Jimmy, Kane
    Subs: Traore, Kelly, Simpson

  30. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I'm pondering the sacrifice of KDB or Vardy to turn Alli into Salah...

    eek

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

      Im losing KDB in 24 for Mane 😐

      hopefully he behaves for a GW or two

      1. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        interesting