Former Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa has given a glowing endorsement to former manager Jurgen Klopp following Liverpool’s signing of Takumi Minamino.
Kagawa, 30, is currently playing for La Liga side Real Zaragoza whilst he is also a national teammate of the Reds’ most recent signing Minamino.
Minamino, 24, has joined the European champions after finalising his £7.25 million deal from RB Salzburg and will join up with Liverpool on January 1.
The Japan international will follow in the steps of compatriot Kagawa who joined United from Klopp’s Dortmund back in 2012. He won the Bundesliga twice under the tutelage of the FIFA Coach of the Year back in 2011 and 2012.
Kagawa then followed up success in Germany by adding a Premier League title to his lucrative CV after claiming a first English crown under Sir Alex Ferguson in the 2012/13 season.
Despite only featuring 57 times and scoring just six goals for the Red Devils, Kagawa later returned to Dortmund during Klopp’s final season in the Bundesliga in the 2014/15 campaign.
Kagawa has made 97 appearances for his national team Japan whilst fellow countryman Minamino has made 22 appearances since his debut in 2015.
Liverpool’s first signing of the January transfer window was secured for a steal-price of just over £7 million after the Reds activated the former Cerezo Osaka star’s release clause at Salzburg.
After the Reds announced the signing of Minamino on Thursday morning, Kagawa was quick to wish his friend and teammate good fortune in the Premier League whilst giving former manager Klopp a special mention epitomising the respect the Liverpool head-coach still upholds on his former players.
Following the deal, Kagawa posted on his Twitter page a personal message to Minamino which read: “Congrats! Start the best challenge!”.
“Believe yourself and do your best under the best director in the world!”
What RTK has to say
A fitting endorsement to the best manager currently in world football and a touching wish of fortune to Liverpool’s most exciting signing since Alisson Becker in 2018.
Minamino represents yet another shrewd piece of business orchestrated by Liverpool and FSG who are currently undergoing preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup final in Qatar.
With Klopp’s side currently top of the Premier League table and looking to defend their Champions League crown any potential incomings will be welcomed with open arms. Although players with the European pedigree and value for money like Minamino will more than encourage supporters that Liverpool really do mean business this season!