Liverpool's Japanese star Takumi Minamino has explained how a former Manchester United star advised him ahead of his move to Anfield.
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder signed from Austrian club RB Salzburg in January for £7.25m.
Liverpool pounced after Minamino impressed in the two Champions League group stage games between the clubs last year, triggering a release clause to bring the player to Anfield to bolster the squad for the second half of the season.
Minamino featured 14 times in the second half of the campaign, qualifying for a Premier League winners medal, but is yet to register a goal or an assist for his new club and expressed his 'regret' that his Liverpool career is yet to truly take off.
Speaking to Super Soccer back in Japan, Minamino was initially asked how he was finding life in Liverpool.
"We could win the league and I am so happy I could experience that", he replied. "But I wanted to have goals or assists.
"I pay a lot of attention to them, so it's regrettable that I couldn't achieve it."
The Japanese interviewer told a suited Minamino he looked "more dignified than ever because he is a Liverpool player".
Shortly after his arrival, Minamino posted pictures on social media of himself on Mathew Street which has always been a favourite spot of Japanese tourists eager to experience Beatles culture.
Asked if he had been to the "live music club where they performed" - ie the Cavern Club - Minamino replied: "Yes I did, I thought I must go there.
"I took a picture of the bronze statues, I have already visited these important places."
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Moving on to 'the truth' of his transfer to Liverpool, Minamino was asked if he call former Manchester United star and Japanese international Shinji Kagawa, who had played for Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund.
Minamino said: "Yes, I said 'What do you think?' when I was still thinking, I was still thinking because there were other options so...which club I can't tell you!
"Kagawa said 'He (Klopp) is a manager who has a good understanding of players'.
"I wanted to listen to the words of Kagawa, who was together with Klopp."
Minamino then went on to explain what Klopp says to motivate players, particularly those like himself who are at present on the fringes of the regular first team.
"In our team, players who can't play in a match never speak ill of him", Minamino said.
"He watches the training of substitute players from beginning to end."
"To players who are in good condition he says 'you have a chance in the next match'.
"He is fair minded. We could feel it, so we think we have a chance if we work hard. That's an amazing thing."
Minamino may get the chance to take on his former club RB Salzburg next Tuesday when Liverpool play them in a pre-season friendly.
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