Roy Keane backed up Jurgen Klopp ’s assessment of Takumi Minamino after the Japanese international starred in Liverpool ’s FA Cup win over Norwich City on Wednesday night.
Minamino scored both goals as the Reds qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition with a 2-1 win at Anfield .
He fired Liverpool into the lead in the 27th minute from close range after good work from Kostas Tsimikas and Divock Origi.
It was 2-0 before half-time when Minamino controlled a deep corner and smashed a powerful shot into the net via the inside of the post.
Curtis Jones and Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain both hit the post and Diogo Jota headed over a good chance before Norwich pulled one back with a low strike from Lukas Rupp.
But the Canaries could not find an equaliser, leaving Minamino as the match-winner with his eighth and ninth goals of the season in his 22nd appearance.
Minamino was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea on Sunday, despite scoring four goals in five games in the competition, and Keane paid tribute to the midfielder after his Norwich impact.
"When you look at the way in which he scored those two goals, you wouldn’t know that he had not played a lot of football because they are both good finishes,” Keane said on ITV.
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"It helps that he is a popular member of the dressing room because he comes in, scores goals and the whole team is happy for him."
With important fixtures against West Ham and Inter Milan on the horizon, Klopp made 10 changes to his side for the cup tie.
Minamino grabbed the opportunity with both hands to underline the impressive depth of Liverpool’s squad.
"Minamino played incredible tonight, one of the best games he had for us,” Klopp told BBC Sport.
"It was an exceptional game of football. He looked extremely sharp. He showed all of the things he knows for sure he has in him. It was a complete performance.
"The two goals were great but all the rest he did was top class as well."
Klopp was then asked if Minamino would have been disappointed to not be involved at Wembley.
"It was disappointing, I can imagine,” he replied.
"How he is, I don't think that is the reason why he played so good tonight. He isn't the kind of person for this sort of anger.
"Takumi was a massive part of the whole journey. Not playing in the final might have been hard in the moment but in the long term, he can look back [on the fact] that he won the League Cup and that can be a good thing."
Liverpool have now won 11 games in succession across all competitions and will now prepare to play West Ham at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Klopp’s side then host Inter Milan in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie following their 2-0 win at the San Siro last month.
