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Huge plus: Liverpool’s 22-cap international was a shining positive during Arsenal clash – opinion

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It’s always disappointing to miss out on a trophy. I possess the same feeling after the Europa League and Champions League finals under Klopp when we were on the wrong end of the scoreline.

But with this, always comes positives. Players that put in performances that make you open your eyes and make you feel better about a defeat, if such a thing exists.

But yes, one player provided this feeling of optimism for me. But just for me, but himself. Takumi Minamino scored the equaliser in the second half and I could see the weight lifted from his shoulders as he sidefooted past Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Of course, his efforts proved to be short-lived as we ended up losing the game on penalties to the Gunners. But despite the loss, the Japanese midfielder will benefit more than any of his teammates from that game.

Beforehand, Minamino had yet to either score or provide an assist for us from 14 outings and almost 500 minutes in the famous red shirt, as per TransferMarkt. Segments of the fanbase were starting to get impatient, regardless of his £7.25m transfer fee that we paid back in January.

Will Minamino's performances improve this season?

Yes

Yes

No

No

But he will have changed those moaners with that goal, which I am personally delighted to see him score. Towards the end of last season, Minamino was certainly making progress and his contributions were becoming more noticed.

He is a fully-fledged international football for a reason. With 22 caps to his name and 11 goals, Minamino has plenty of potential there, and he is 25 years old.

The conundrum that Klopp finds himself in is that he needs to find a way to unlock what Minamino has to offer. Yes, his traditional 4-3-3 system should benefit him. But somehow, it hadn’t clicked until that Arsenal game.

The man himself knew back in March that he needed to improve, telling the club’s official website that he has to show results and wants to contribute more when it comes to goals and assists.

This season is still a big one for Minamino. Any pressure that he would have felt before this one would have been lifted.

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