MINAMINO MAKES A MAJOR IMPACT
Triumph over champs
complete the £27million signing of Lille defender Gabriel, announce PierreEmerick Aubameyang’s new contract and also find a midfield partner for Granit Xhaka.
But they would also be crazy to let Martinez and Maitland-Niles go to help balance the books.
Both players have enjoyed remarkable transformations.
Martinez deserves a crack at being the new No.1.
And, rather like Martinez, Maitland-Niles has gone from the brink of departure to FA Cup winner to another starring display at Wembley and also an England call-up.
Aubameyang’s first-half opener showed his class and then Arsenal defended bravely with Martinez twice denying
Sadio Mane with terrific blocks before Takumi Minamino’s equaliser to take it to penalties, only for the Gunners to prevail with Aubameyang scoring the winner.
Liverpool were miles ahead of the rest last season but the danger in this league is if you stand still you go backwards.
Losing any of their midfielders would seem to be unthinkable, but perhaps if it leads to freeing up space and cash to sign Thiago Alcantara then it might be a good idea.
Liverpool should start the season as title favourites but maybe they need a new face just to freshen things up. Sometimes that is all it needs.
JURGEN KLOPP believes Takumi Minamino is ready to make a huge impact for Liverpool this season.
The Japan winger joined Liverpool from Red Bull
Salzburg in a bargain £7.25million deal in January and found himself settling into a new country and club during a global pandemic. Liverpool boss Klopp believes Minamino has all the attributes to make a mark this term and he certainly showed his class with his first goal for the club at Wembley on Saturday. Inevitably, Minamino, who came off the bench in the 59th minute, will be seen as the support act for Liverpool’s front three of Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane but he still looks ready to step up. Klopp said: “We have a good team and it is difficult to come into it. But he is a player who is really useful for us.
“It was not only the goal that impressed me. In small spaces he was really good. His first touch was exceptional, and his decision-making between the lines really great. That helps as well. So he can be a real player for us.
“He came here in the most difficult period of all our lives, I would say. Being alone in England in the lockdown, he has had to adapt to different things. That could not have been easy. But he did really well as he is a super professional so I am really pleased for him that he could score. It is another big step for him.”
Klopp believes that Minamino’s first goal for the club could represent a major turning point in his first-team fortunes.
He said: “He can have an impact. That’s why we signed him. But after one or two good pre-season performances I don’t want to put massive pressure on his shoulders. There’s no need for that.
“It was big for him and for us. The only thing missing since he was with us was a goal, even though he went close several times. But the shape he’s in is obviously good and everyone could see that when he came on.
“The goal is more or less the logical step up after performing at the level he performs now, especially in the pre-season. I am very pleased for him. It was very important for to stay in the game and for him to make his first important step.”
MATCH STATS
ARSENAL: MOM
LIVERPOOL:
REFEREE: