Andy Robertson has experienced from close quarters the threat new boy Takumi Minamino can pose for Liverpool.
And the Reds defender isn't surprised to hear some of his team-mates were urging Jurgen Klopp to swoop for the Japan international.
Minamino will move to Anfield in the New Year after the European champions triggered his £7.25million release clause at Red Bull Salzburg.
Robertson had been in direct opposition to the forward in both Champions League group games against the Austrians this season.
Minamino scored one goal and assisted another in Salzburg's 4-3 defeat at Anfield in October – a game in which Robertson also scored – and was their most lively performer in the return game last week that Liverpool won 2-0 to progress to the knockout stages.
“It was difficult to play against Salzburg full stop, but I thought he was their man man,” said Robertson, speaking to the ECHO in Qatar.
“He was the one, especially at Anfield, who caused us problems.
“When we went 3-0 up, he started to dictate the game. He started to run at us a wee bit and he got a goal and an assist.
“That might be why the gaffer started looking at him and thinking 'who is this player?'.
“In the two games we played against them, he was great. Other than that, I hadn't really seen him play.
“He will be a welcome addition for us and I'm sure he will be a fantastic player.
“We look forward to him coming over in January and I'm sure he'll add to the already high quality in this squad.”
It's understood a number of Liverpool players approached Klopp after the Anfield clash suggesting Minamino would be a good addition, unaware the player was already in their sights.
And asked if he had provided such advice to the Reds boss, Robertson said: “No, I wasn't one of them! I don't know if that's true or not.
“But if players did that, then I can definitely see why.”
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