Rarely do Liverpool's transfer and scouting team ever get it wrong and while labelling Takumi Minamino as a 'flop' would seem harsh, it is a move that has undeniably underwhelmed.
The Japan international has promised so much at times after he was purchased from Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg back in January 2020, but has never truly cemented a place in Jurgen Klopp's star-studded first-team. In truth, Minamino's finest hours have often come in the form of Carabao Cup outings - a damning indicator of his importance to the starting eleven.
Now on the verge of a permanent move to Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco, Klopp may be left both frustrated and confused as to why he couldn't quite the best out of the attacking midfielder.
Twelve months after he arrived at Anfield, Minamino was sent out on loan to fellow Premier League outfit Southampton to try and ensure he gets sufficient experience of the rigours of the English top-flight. Much like his Liverpool career, the 27-year-old's time on the South coast was littered with flashes of brilliance but no consistency.
Speaking during Minamino's loan stint at Saint Mary's in February of last year, Klopp insisted he was willing to be patient with the playmaker. "Takumi is a long-term project, always was," the Reds boss explained.
"We see a lot of potential in Takumi and it makes absolute sense for him to play maybe 17 games in the Premier League, and then he comes back in a different mindset, confidence level all these kind of things so I hope it is a win-win situation.
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"He’s done really well there and this is no surprise," Klopp admitted when discussing Minamino's spell at Southampton. "When we allowed him to go in January it was a tough call to make because he is an important player for us and will be again in the future, no doubt."
Though he was confident at the time, Klopp's assessment now looks to be way off the mark as the Japanese star nears the Anfield exit door. There was a false dawn earlier this year, when the Liverpool manager was left salivating after another impressive League Cup display from Minamino.
"He is an outstanding talent," said the German. "Everything was difficult when he joined and you need to get used to the Premier League. It helped massively going to Southampton and he came back a different player and a different package. Players need time."
Everything sounded as if Minamino was ready to finally become Liverpool thought they had signed, but less than six months later the Reds have accepted Monaco's bid of €18million (£15.5m). The former Salzburg star will leave the Reds having made just 55 appearances across all competitions.
Klopp has spoken highly of the attacking midfielder so many times, the Reds boss is adamant there is plenty of talent there to be unlocked. There is every chance Minamino flourishes in France and Liverpool are left to rue sanctioning his departure without truly seeing the full capability of what he could do.
Minamino's contributions in those domestic cup games will ensure he is always remembered fondly by the Anfield faithful. The Reds won both the League and FA Cups last term, with the Japan international more than playing his part in both.
