Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed they never even considered allowing Takumi Minamino to leave the club in January amid reported Leeds United interest.
The Whites were linked with a move for Minamino towards the end of the window as they put together a shortlist of wingers in the event they had to replace Crysencio Summerville.
In the end, Summerville stayed at Leeds after failing to agree a deal with Hamburg, which meant the club’s interest in Minamino never firmed up into anything more concrete.
Minamino now founds himself behind several stars for a place in Klopp’s first choice front three – with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and even Divock Origi all ahead of him.
However, that has not stopped the Japanese international from contributing heavily this season, with nine goals in 22 appearances in all competitions.
He netted another two on Wednesday night as Liverpool secured their passage to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Norwich City at Anfield.
Speaking after the match, Klopp had this to say on whether there was any chance of him departing the club in January.
He said: “No, we didn’t think about it. I don’t think he thought about it. So, no.”
At 27, though, Minamino is now in the prime years of his career and given the names that now sit ahead of him in the pecking order, a move in the summer may not be out of the question.
Leeds’ new boss Jesse Marsch worked alongside Minamino at Red Bull Salzburg, where he played some of the best football of his career.
