Serie A giants Lazio are reportedly keeping tabs on Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino, who continues to impress in a peripheral role at Anfield.
According to Calciomercato, Serie A heavyweights Lazio are showing interest in Liverpool forward and Japanese international Takumi Minamino ahead of the 2022 summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old joined the Reds from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020. He has since thrived as a solid backup option that has given Jurgen Klopp strength in depth in his unit. Minamino has especially come to the fore this season, scoring ten goals from just 24 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions.
Minamino might not have featured at Wembley, but he played a huge role in getting Liverpool to the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals. He is the club’s top scorer in both competitions and repaid Klopp’s faith in him numerous times.
Liverpool have a stacked frontline that has a world-class trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. The recent arrivals of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz have given Klopp more options to call upon. This squad depth in attacks makes life difficult for players below the quintet in the pecking order.
Divock Origi is set to depart Anfield in the coming summer in the pursuit of regular playing time and could be followed out the door by Minamino. The Japanese attacker has attracted attention from Lazio, who continue to impress under Maurizio Sarri.
A capable player who can play anywhere along the frontline, Minamino will offer Sarri different options. This is especially true upfront, where the Italian lacks a dependable alternative for Ciro Immobile. The Liverpool forward might not be a specialist striker, but he has shown the ability to be clinical and find the net regularly.
More of it was on display on Tuesday night against Southampton. Minamino was up for the game against the Saints and drew Liverpool level in the game with a stunning finish. Having impressed in the Premier League, he could thrive in the slower Serie A and will enjoy more time on the ball.
Liverpool, for their part, will do well to keep Minamino. A player who complains little and does his job when called upon, the Japanese ace has a big role in Jurgen Klopp’s fans. The German recently admitted to that and appears to hold the player in high stead.
Moving elsewhere could guarantee him more playing time, but Minamino has the opportunity to continue being a part of something truly special at Liverpool.
