A few days before the January transfer window closed, Liverpool received calls from Leeds United and Monaco. The two clubs wanted to know about Takumi Minamino. More specifically, he wondered if the player could be bought or loaned.
The conversation didn't last long, though. According to a club insider, the Reds have made it clear that the Japan international will remain in Merseyside unless they receive an outrageously high offer. Takumi Minamino himself has also made it clear that he does not intend to give up his career at Anfield.
Now five weeks have passed and both sides are very satisfied with their decision. Because as Liverpool continue their journey this season, Minamno is proving to people that he is a valuable asset to Klopp's team that is chasing four titles.
On Wednesday night, two goals he scored against Norwich at Anfield helped the Reds advance to the FA Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2015. Minamno has scored nine goals in all competitions this season, which is a good number considering he has only started eight games and half of his 14 off-the-bench appearances have been scored in the 80th minute or later.
Milner said after the match against Norwich: "What a good man, what a good player. Klopp also said it could be Takumi Minamino's best performance since moving to Liverpool from Salzburg two years ago.
"Minamino's performance in this game is very comprehensive." The Reds boss said, "He scored two great goals, but other aspects were first class. ”
Klopp was right on this. To be honest, Takumi Minamino didn't always shine at Anfield, but today he did. He is very active, hungry, diligent and confident. He took advantage of his first goal opportunity well, receiving a shot from Origi and a blast for the second.
In last weekend's League Cup, Minamino did not play as a substitute and if he was disappointed with that, he did not show it in this game. Instead, he came up with exactly the kind of attitude Klopp was looking for.
Klopp said: "That's why we're in this position because there are players in our squad with such a mentality and personality. This is exactly what we need for long-term success. "
In addition to Minamino, who made the greatest contribution, there were many players in this game who also performed very well. Gomez and Curtis Jones, who failed to make the squad in the League Cup final, returned to the starting list in this match and showed they were ready for the fight.
Gomez performed well at centre-back, while Jones also had a good performance in the first half, but was later replaced due to thigh discomfort. Milner played right-back, origi played his part again, as did Chamberlain and Zimikas.
You might suspect that none of these guys will start in a big game, but Liverpool still need them because between now and May, Liverpool may have to play in the third tier.
"The lads have to be ready." Klopp added, "They don't fight each other for a position, but they have to try to be the best version of themselves and then they have a big chance of getting into the weekend squad. ”
"But that's not guaranteed. You have to work on it again and again until you get that opportunity, and then you have to come up with a good performance. That's what the lads did. "
We should expect Liverpool's strongest squad to return in this weekend's Premier League game against West Ham. Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Salah were all suspended against Norwich, with Díaz and Mane each playing six minutes, while Matip and Robertson did not play. It wouldn't be surprising if these guys were all starting against the Hammers while Takumi Minamino and the rest of the players either returned to the bench or sat in the stands.
It's really hard to make a choice, but you could say it's the price paid for "squad depth.". The Liverpool first team has never been in such good shape in terms of quality, quantity and diversity, which means there will always be players, even good players, who will be disappointed by not being selected for the squad.
The good news is that, for now, this disappointment is being properly guided. In Anfield, there are no sullen people, only people who fight.
Klopp knows this, he knows he can rely on these substitutes to get on the cusp of the curve when the team needs to.
Minamino did do that in Wednesday's game, and it's not the first time he's done it this season.
Of a team with a kingly attitude, the Japanese star is probably the best Liverpool have done.