TAKUMI MINAMINO scored his first Premier League goal after just three minutes against Crystal Palace.
The Japanese star, 25, made an instant impact after he replaced Mohamed Salah in Liverpool’s starting line-up.
Takumi Minamino scored after just three minutes of the matchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Liverpool fans were shocked to see Salah missing from Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up.
The 28-year-old has been on form this season with 11 goals in 12 league appearances.
But Klopp decided to start Minamino, who joined in January from Red Bull Salzburg.
The manager’s decision paid off as the Japanese star found the net after just 125 seconds.
He effortlessly buried his right-footed strike past Vicente Guaita and into the bottom corner.
It was Liverpool’s earliest Premier League goal in an away game since November 2014.
Minamino has struggled for game time at Anfield since he was signed for £7.25 million.
But Klopp described the 25-year-old as ‘sensational’ in his match programme notes.
Mohamed Salah was left out of the starting line-upCredit: AP:Associated Press
He said: “I’m not usually a fan of singling people out but I think Taki Minamino is someone I want to highlight.
“Taki has been sensational for us since he came.
“His attitude is of the highest level always. Commitment to improving is total.
“He has had to be patience and at times I can imagine that has been quite difficult.
“His lack of starting opportunities until now is not because of anything he is not doing well, it’s because the players in his position have been so consistent in their delivery for our club.”
Meanwhile, Salah has refused to rule out a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona.
The Japanese star made no mistakes as he scored from close rangeCredit: EPA
A look back at Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur as it happened from the Premier League
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
