Japan international Takumi Minamino was the standout performer in Liverpool’s comprehensive 3-0 win away at Norwich City in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third round action. The former Red Bull Salzburg player scored twice as the Reds made short work of the Canaries at Carrow Road.
Having won only one of their opening seven matches of the season in all competition, Norwich were trailing by a goal as early as the 4th minute after Minamino seized upon a Divock Origi knockdown to leave Angus Gunn well-beaten.
The Canaries were then given a lifeline in the 42nd minute after Liverpool teenager Conor Bradley fouled Greek international Dimitris Giannoulis in the box, only for the Reds’ young goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to deny Dimitris’ club and country teammate Christos Tzolis from the spot with his foot.
Liverpool’s very own Greek Kostantinos Tsimikas played an instrumental role in the away side’s second of the game in the 50th minute, lashing in a cross that was headed by Origi into Gunn’s goal that doubled the Reds’ advantage.
Last but not least, Minamino sealed Liverpool’s progression into the next round after he had pounced upon an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s through ball and slotting it home past Gunn.
Having been signed from Salzburg in January of 2020 after an impressive tenure with the Austrians, Minamino has been a peripheral figure in Anfield throughout his Liverpool stay, spending the second half of last season on loan at Southampton.
However, the former Cerezo Osaka man’s performance at Carrow Road would serve as food for thought for Reds’ manager Jurgen Klopp, and the German could be tempted to throw Minamino into Liverpool’s already fearsome attacking lineup which includes the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino.