Jurgen Klopp makes Takumi Minamino Liverpool transfer admission after Leeds United interest

Jurgen Klopp insisted he has never contemplated allowing Takumi Minamino to depart Liverpool this season.

The Japan international’s double ensured the Reds clinched a 2-1 victory over Norwich City at Anfield last night.

Minamino took his tally to nine goals in 22 games this season as Liverpool moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

However, for the vast majority of the campaign - and his Anfield career - the former Red Bull Salzburg forward has been a bit-part player.

Minamino spent the second half of 2020-21 on loan at Southampton. It was reported last summer that Saints were keen to re-sign him for this term.

And during the January transfer window, it was claimed that Leeds United showed interest.

But Klopp insisted that neither Liverpool nor Minamino ever thought about a potential exit.

The Reds boss said: “No, we didn’t think about it. I don’t think he thought about it. So, no.”

‘A complete performance’

Minamino opened the scoring against Norwich with a composed 27th-minute finish.

Then 12 minutes later, he rifled home an effort at the back post when left unmarked.

On Minamino’s performance, Klopp said: “It was an exceptional game, for sure. He looked extremely sharp, he showed all the things he knows for sure he has in him and now he showed it tonight to the public. It was really a complete performance.

“The two goals were great but all the rest he did was top-class as well. It was really good.

“He shows everything, he has everything. That’s how it is, that’s why he is our player. Taki came in, in a difficult time, coronavirus was there full throttle, no supporters in the stadium, in a good football team obviously which was used to a lot of things.

“Had good moments, played really good football but now he needed time and in the moment he looks absolutely on the peak of things he can do. I’m very, very happy for him that he can show that.

“Obviously, there are more difficult situations than Taki’s out there in the world but it’s obviously not so easy to be in and out and sometimes these kind of things.

“But his character is obviously top-class, which means when he is needed or when I give him the opportunity, he is delivering on a top-class level. I’m really happy.”