---
title: "Opinion: Takumi Minamino was the star for heavily rotated Liverpool side"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/opinion-takumi-minamino-was-the-star-for-heavily-rotated-liverpool-side/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2022-03-03T07:15:00Z"
modified: "2022-03-03T09:15:35Z"
---

# Opinion: Takumi Minamino was the star for heavily rotated Liverpool side

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2022/03/02/virals-teammates-of-liverpool-target-cody-gakpo-very-proud-of-links/) maintained their ambitious quadruple hopes with qualification for the FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to a 2-1 victory over Norwich City at Anfield.

Following the success of [lifting the Carabao Cup](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/feb/27/chelsea-liverpool-carabao-cup-final-match-report) at Wembley, this tie had the potential to be somewhat after the Lord Mayor’s show.

However, Jurgen Klopp made [10 changes](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jurgen-klopp-makes-ten-changes-23265734) to the lineup to ensure those involved were fresh and hungry to make an impact.

As the game materialised, it became apparent that this was an opportunity that [Takumi Minamino](https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1499151733406195713) in particular was determined not to let pass him by.

> Two goals for Takumi Minamino! 🙌
>
> Liverpool have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time under Jurgen Klopp 👇
>
> — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) [March 2, 2022](https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1499151733406195713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The 27-year-old earned an impressive [8.40 Sofascore rating](https://www.sofascore.com/player/takumi-minamino/155818) for a performance including one key pass, 67 touches and most importantly, two goals.

After the match, Klopp [described](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/every-word-klopp-minaminos-complete-performance) the Japanese international’s display as the ‘complete performance’.

Overall, Minamino has now [scored seven times and provided one assist](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/takumi-minamino/leistungsdaten/spieler/165793) in 21 appearances this season.

Here’s how we rate those involved…

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

**XI**: Alisson 7; James Milner 7, Ibrahima Konate 7, Joe Gomez 6, Kostas Tsimikas 7; Jordan Henderson 7, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 5, Curtis Jones 8; Takumi Minamino 9, Diogo Jota 7, Divock Origi 7.

**Subs**: Harvey Elliott 6, Tyler Morton 6, Luis Diaz 7, Sadio Mane 6.

Albeit ultimately only a 45-minute [cameo](https://www.sofascore.com/player/curtis-jones/927353) from Curtis Jones, the attacking midfielder showed what he is capable of in that first half.

Thankfully, Klopp [confirmed](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/jurgen-klopp-explains-reason-curtis-jones-half-time-substitution) that the injury was not serious and the 21-year-old may have given the German boss an extra headache ahead of the visitor of West Ham.

Keep an out for the FA Cup as the Reds’ go in search of yet more history…