Liverpool’s only signing of the 2020 January transfer window, Takumi Minamino, left Anfield after failing to settle, and fears are lone new boy Federico Chiesa could also struggle.
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp once condemned his players for not including Takumi Minamino before he was sold – an episode Arne Slot won’t want to repeat with Federico Chiesa.
Minamino was Liverpool’s only piece of business during the 2020 January window, and, having arrived on his lonesome from Red Bull Salzburg, failed to stamp down a place at Anfield – making just 55 appearances and scoring 14 goals in total.
A telling statement from the manager who purchased him, Klopp, laid out the German’s frustrations over how the Japanese star was poorly integrated. Two years later, the Premier League-winning winger was sold to Monaco, much to Klopp’s dismay.
New signing Chiesa, who was Liverpool’s sole arrival this summer – with the only other signing, Giorgi Mamardashvili, set to join in 2025 – may also be skeptical about his chances of fitting in, and it is now over to Slot to ensure he is adequately integrated.
On the back of Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat by Chelsea in the fifth round of the 2020 FA Cup, Klopp admitted post-match: “Takumi had a really good game. We could have used him much more often.“If Neco (Williams) sees him once or twice he was completely free at the edge [of the box], he shot the cross more or less.
If he’d seen him, it would have helped.”This trend seemingly upset Klopp and could have eventually played a role in Minamino’s departure from Anfield when moving to Monaco as he hit his prime in 2022.“His contribution far outweighs the opportunities we were able to give, in terms of starting matches,” Klopp admitted. “He made us better each and every day he was with us – perfect attitude, winner’s mentality.
His achievements here will stand the test of time.“I’m sure there will be those who think it didn’t quite work out (at Liverpool). I don’t accept that. An amazing professional. A super talented player. As a person, he is full of warmth and makes everyone feel positive. A manager’s dream, to be honest.
Although Klopp disagrees with the theory, it is possible that Chiesa, also a solo arrival, could be at risk of failing to settle in if he does not acclimatise to his Anfield surroundings.Slot himself is, of course, a newcomer this term, so this could naturally help the Italian winger hit the ground running.
The Reds’ squad is also filled with players in just their second year on Merseyside, including midfield trio Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch.The cut-price Chiesa, who was signed for just £10m, spent four years in Turin with Juventus, and this will be his first time playing outside of his native Italy.
