Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TAKUMI TUNES IN WITH HELP FROM BEATLES
LIVERPOOL new-boy Takumi Minamino is still fine tuning himself to get on song with Jurgen Klopp’s style of football.
But he is enjoying life on Merseyside by soaking up The Beatles culture in the city.
The Japan midfielder (below) said fellow former Red Bull Salzburg stars Naby Keita and Sadio Mane are helping him to settle in at Anfield.
Minamino was a teammate of Keita before the latter moved on to Red Bull Leipzig and, along with Mane, they are making him feel at home.
He said: “You know that you are part of the team, but because my English is not good enough yet their help has been important.
“They are still helping me on some occasions and during the first days they taught me the team rules, things like what time the meetings started and how the team functions on a daily basis.
“At the moment I speak a lot with the players who can speak German.”
He is enjoying life in his new home as he posted pictures on Instagram last week outside the famous Cavern Club and beside a Beatles wondered what it would be like. When I saw those things for myself I really enjoyed it.”
Minamino is still getting up to speed under Klopp after his £7.25million move from Salzburg in January. His starts have been limited to two in the FA Cup and two sub appearances in the Premier League.
He added: “By playing in the best environment I learn a lot every day and I can improve myself. I am very happy being here.
“Even in the training sessions the level of focus and intensity is really high and the players’ motivation is also high.”
Boss Klopp has set another record at Liverpool – by winning the most Premier League Manager-of-the-month awards in one season after collecting the January gong.
He has added it to his awards in August, September, November and December to beat Manchester City chief
Pep Guardiola’s previous record.
The only month Klopp did not take the award was October when his side dropped their only points of the campaign with a 1-1 draw at rivals Manchester United.
Kop keeper Alisson has been training with his brother Muriel at Brazilian side Fluminense, reports in Brazil claim.
Liverpool’s stars have been given a week off and are free to travel, but have individual training plans to re-energise themselves in their mid-season Premier League break.
And Alisson has headed back home to Brazil to spend some time with his family while keeping his fitness up with his brother.