Ex-Player: Takumi MINAMINO

I was watching him and he scored a header in one of them.

When he played for us he was so clinical

He was one of the players who I feel we didnā€™t treat very well. I feel a similar way with Nat Phillips who I think we should let go permanently for his sake (even if we value him higher than the bids).

Understandably upset when he didnā€™t get much chances.

Years on the bench also probably didnā€™t help his development. Good player though.

2 Likes

Nat Phillips doesnā€™t have to sign his contracts does he?

1 Like

In a legalistic way, it is a fair comment, but I sincerely hope that you donā€™t take that sort of attitude towards managing or employing people.

There is a human side to this and we have benefited from Natā€™s ability to serve as ā€œemergency coverā€ while postponing any meaningful career actually playing rather than on the bench (or even furtherā€¦ In the stands). I get it if it happens one season or maybe two.

Nat has previously mentioned he wants to play as much as he can. And because he isnā€™t publicly raising a fuss, would it be ok to ignore it?

There is a balance between milking every ounce of worth out of him and being a decent nurturing clubā€¦ And in this rare case, I think we are pushing it a bit too far. A half season loan is a joke.

As for Minamino, we rightfully let him go because we were not using him. Partly also because we anticipated a problem if he stayed (he was clearly angered at his situation).

1 Like

We treated Minamino just fine.

He didnā€™t play well enough to play regularly. He had his chance to shine in the domestic cups for one of the biggest clubs in the world, he canā€™t be angry at that.

4 Likes

Yes I agree that we did treat Minamino well, as we allowed him to move on (yet I recall reading that he was quite unhappy - but that is more on him than us on that one).

I just donā€™t think we have afforded Nat the same luxury. Probably too nice of a guy.

Taki was brought in as a squad player and he did very good in that role.

But if someone doesnā€™t want to do that role for too long the club has to respect that.

Expecting him to be back in the PL soon.

1 Like

I think the mistake people made in Taki was that they assumed him to be a serious challenger from the starting XI based on his performance against us for Salzburg.

The club knew what they wanted from him and he delivered on that reasonably well

Iā€™d be hugely suprised if even one person thought that :thinking:

2 Likes

No, I donā€™t. Because running one of the biggest football clubs in the world is completely different to working in an office etc. I wouldnā€™t hire somebody as full time cover in case an employee got sick.

Nat is a limited footballer who gets the very best training facilities, conditioning, diet not to mention extremely good wages. Heā€™s also played games in stadiums heā€™d never have had the chance to at any club he could be a starter. He knows he will never be picked for the 1st team on a regular basis. Iā€™d be shocked if he thought that. He has signed contracts knowing full well his situation. In my book, heā€™s been treated just fine.

What is his wage at LFC? What other club he could play regulary for would match those wages? Heā€™s protected himself and LFC have protected themselves. Why should LFC let him go for a super cheap fee?

Nat could have refused to sign his last contract (how long is/was that contract by the way?) and took a chance on himself getting a good contract, while playing regulary at another club.

I have no problem with Nat Phillips by the way. He seems a likeable guy. Just a problem with the idea LFC has treated him badly.

Wish I got paid as much, with such great additional benefits, while being as mediocre at my job as he is.

1 Like

Agreed. Nat is probably on double the salary he would get in the championship where he probably should be.

Gets to travel to top venues, train alongside the best, work alongside the best coaches and manager.

Then when he is looking for some football he gets a nice loan move (which level is helped by his status as a Liverpool player)

3 Likes

Based on his one game against us, I think it was fair to expect quite a bit more.

you folks shitting on Minamino and Phillips are sure to understand their roles when signing on at the club. Phillip and Rhys Williams did a job for us in 2021 and Taki did a job for us the next year. They were given a chance to challenge for a starting role, and they couldnā€™t displace the #1ā€™s in their positions. Minamino moved on, Phillips is still benefitting from his time at LFC and when he moves heā€™ll have great experiences to grow from.

on loan for near a full season at Stuttgart (where he played with Endo!) and again the following season at Bournemouth for 6mo.

1 Like

His finishing is really good.

1 Like

Pity he didnā€™t get more of a look-in here. Usually did well when given the chance.

8 Likes

Better signing than Thiago.

record player GIF

You wrote Gakpo wrong ā€¦ :laughing:

Gakpo also easily a better signing than Thiago.