---
title: "Virals: Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino back in training"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-liverpool-forward-takumi-minamino-back-in-training/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-09-15T06:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-09-15T06:30:00Z"
---

# Virals: Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino back in training

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/09/14/jurgen-klopp-says-mohamed-salah-wants-to-squeeze-each-day-out-at-the-top/) forward Takumi Minamino has returned to training ahead of the UEFA Champions League opener with AC Milan at Anfield.

The Reds welcome their [twice final opponents](https://www.11v11.com/teams/liverpool/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/AC%20Milan/) to Merseyside for the first time ever tonight (Wednesday, September 15), hoping to make a strong start to Group B.

Ahead of the meeting, Japanese international Minamino has been [spotted](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-training-ac-milan-konate-21570305) getting back involved, but there was no sign of another major attacking option.

> Twitter: Takumi Minamino was back in Liverpool training today. No sign of Roberto Firmino with the main group, though. (@ptgorst)

Neither were involved at the weekend after Minamino [returned early](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/takumi-minamino-injury-japan-breaking-21482116) from international duty, whilst Firmino’s hamstring issue continues to rule out the Brazilian.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have [confirmed](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/443363-harvey-elliott-undergoes-successful-ankle-surgery) teenage sensation [Harvey Elliott](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/09/13/leeds-defender-harvey-elliott/) underwent successful surgery on a dislocated ankle and there is ‘confidence’ the 18-year-old will return before the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

> Twitter: Harvey Elliott on Instagram ![❤](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/2764.svg) https://t.co/8dSMVyHRkw (@AnythingLFC\_)

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Given the lack of [recognised attacking options](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/443007-confirmed-liverpool-team-news-leeds-united#:~:text=Liverpool%3A%20Alisson%2C%20Alexander%2DArnold,%2DChamberlain%2C%20Jones%2C%20Tsimikas.) on the bench on Sunday, Minamino will be a welcome addition to the matchday squad.

At full strength, Jurgen Klopp has the option to rest and rotate successfully, but even [one or two absentees](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/first-team) soon expose a worrying lack of depth.

Elliott will hopefully make a swift recovery to further bolster the options available to the German manager, especially as Naby Keita, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah head off to the [African Cup of Nations](https://www.skysports.com/africa-cup-of-nations-fixtures) in mid-January.