Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that new Liverpool signing Takumi Minamino will be in the squad to face Everton in the FA Cup this weekend.
Minamino joins the Reds from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of £7.5 million, and impressed many with is performances against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.
Speaking ahead of the FA Cup clash with Everton, Klopp revealed that Minamino will be in the squad, but that he is set to be patient with his new Japanese midfielder.
Klopp said, via This is Anfield:
He was here yesterday, had a light session, enjoyed it a lot, boys were incredible with him. Sadio and Naby, those with Salzburg genetic, it was really nice.
If I was to be a new player I’d love to be one in this group as they welcome you with welcome arms, that’s really nice.
I think he felt it, he wasn’t surprised by that. Communication wise is really good – his English is absolutely OK but his German is really good, it doesn’t help the team much but we can talk.
We signed the player he was at Salzburg so that means he doesn’t have to change in the moment just be who you are and then we will start working on that and I look forward to it.
Of course [he will come into contention for Everton. He’s not allowed [on Thursday], don’t know exactly why.
We will see how he fits in but in this period of the season it will not be after 15 weeks when we use him, but is he a finished article in March? I don’t know.
We will start learning about each other from now on and he will have all the time he needs, how much he’ll need I have no idea. But it would be nice if people could give him some time.
Read Liverpool’s verdict
This is good news for those who want to see Minamino in action for the Reds, with it now looking likely that he will be given a shot against Everton.
However, with Klopp wanting to be patient, it is unlikely he will start or be on for a considerable amount of time.
He will grow into the team, so Liverpool fans will maybe have to wait for his first proper start.
