Liverpool are flying high in the Premier League, leading the table by thirteen points and also possessing a game in hand over their rivals.

But The Reds boss Jurgen Klopp hasn’t rested on his laurels. The German manager first signed a new deal in December (Liverpoolfc.com). That news swelled the club’s already brimming confidence levels.

The league leaders also assessed their fantastic squad and worked out that they needed to strengthen their attacking options. Before the January transfer window opened the Anfield side agreed a deal with Red Bull Salzburg to bring in Japanese forward Takumi Minamino (Source The Guardian).

Klopp knew he needed a player that could come in and impress if one of his forwards got injured or suspended. Yes they have Divock Origi there and the Belgian can do well in the centre, as he showed in the latter stages of last term, but they needed someone who could be creative in the final third.

Minamino showed against Liverpool in the Champions League earlier in the campaign that he has the traits needed to succeed in a Jurgen Klopp squad. The Japanese international didn’t just impress with his goal and assist but also with his speedy passes, his guile and poise on the ball.

Now he won’t walk into the Reds first team. In Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah Liverpool have almost the perfect fluid front three.

Takumi will have to wait for his chances to shine. He played and looked decent in The Reds FA Cup win over Merseyside rivals Everton last weekend.

Jurgen Klopp was very happy with the twenty-four year old’s debut:

“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.”

Via Liverpool Echo

But we can’t forget that Minamino has been brought in to bolster numbers not to walk into the starting line-up. Plus Klopp likes to bring in players and allow them time to adapt to their new surroundings before giving them regular game time. Klopp knows that strength in depth is important when battling for major trophies and that’s why Takumi has been brought in.

The Reds manager is also very much a forward thinker, it’s not all about the here and now. He knows that Rhian Brewster has a huge future at Anfield. But at the moment the nineteen year old needs more game time than Klopp can give him at Liverpool.

So today The Reds confirmed that Brewster was being loaned out for the remainder of this campaign to Championship side Swansea City (Via Sky Sports). If Rhian can prove himself at The Swans and score regular in England’s second tier then he’ll be all the better for it and come back next preseason to challenge for a top team spot at Liverpool.

Liverpool have acted quickly this January and they’ve bolstered their first team squad and they have also protected their future by loaning out Rhian Brewster.

The best sides strengthen from a strong position and they also prepare for the future. This month Liverpool have done both and look all the better for it!

Posted on January 7th, 2020 by scott
Filed under: Article