Liverpool winger Takumi Minamino has revealed he spoke with compatriot and former Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa before agreeing to move to the Reds.
The 25-year-old was signed for a fee of £7.25m in January after impressing in the Champions League for RB Salzburg, and he has made four appearances for Liverpool so far, although he has yet to score or create an assist.
Kagawa played under Jurgen Klopp during his time at Dortmund, and it seems he had nothing but praise for his former boss.
And speaking to Liverpool’s official programme, Minamino said Kagawa put the United-Liverpool rivalry aside to encourage him to make the move to the Premier League.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“I spoke to Maya Yoshida at Southampton but I didn’t ask him about Liverpool ,” Minamino said.
“I just told him that I would be coming to the Premier League, but I never told him that it would be Liverpool!
“I also spoke to Shinji Kagawa as he had played for Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund, too. Klopp talked to me about Shinji and Shinji talked about Klopp and from that I could sense that they had a really good relationship.
“Shinji said that Klopp was one of the best coaches in the world and now that I am here and working for him I have also realised he is one of the best coaches around.”
Upon Minamino signing for the Reds Kagawa had warm words of support.
(Image: Getty)
He tweeted a message in Japanese which translated as: “Congrats! You are starting the best challenge! Believe in yourself and do your best under the best manager in the world!”
Although Minamino has yet to truly find his feet at Liverpool, there are high hopes for the 25-year-old, and he is likely to get another chance to impress in the FA Cup when they take on Chelsea on Tuesday.
