Former Liverpool star Takumi Minamino has praised four of his former team-mates - and explained how he's adjusting to life away from Anfield.
Minamino spent around two-and-a-half years with the Reds after signing from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020. He would leave to join Monaco earlier in the summer, with Liverpool agreeing a deal worth up to €18million (£15.5m).
Since moving to Ligue 1, Minamino has scored just one goal in 14 appearances in all competitions. His form saw him labelled as the “biggest flop” of the summer transfer window in France by certain outlets in the country.
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Now preparing to play for Japan in the World Cup, Minamino has reflected on his time at Liverpool. The 27-year-old has praised four of his former team-mates, including one who did things in training he had “never seen before”.
“Salah and Mane were the two players who trained more than anyone,” Minamino told Japanese news outlet Kyodo News+ .
“Thiago got lots of injuries but he was really professional, trying to avoid them by doing exercises I’ve never seen before.
“Milner was a real veteran but was fresher than anyone and led with his voice in training.”
Minamino has admitted that he had doubts during his time at Liverpool, and now he is looking forward to the challenges ahead. He went on to admit that he “lost the feeling” of playing in recent months.
"There've been moments I thought, 'What if I had played constantly during that period?',” said Minamino. “I'm striving now to make sure I can say I gained something (from that time)."
He added: "I had lost some of the feeling with the ball at my feet along with confidence, but I'm gradually getting them back and I'll get even better as my physical condition improves.”
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