Liverpool: Wenger calls Minamino ‘an artist’ after Chelsea goal

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 20 May 2021 11:26 BST
• 2 min read

Liverpool attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino has been labelled “an artist” by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Minamino is on loan at Southampton from Liverpool until the end of the 2020/21 season.

On the same day Liverpool slumped to a home defeat against Everton, the Japan international scored his second goal in three games.

Minamino netted in Southampton’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, following up on his recent strike against Newcastle.

Wenger was impressed by what he saw from Minamino, though less encouraged by the Chelsea defending.

“I liked it very much,” Wenger said to beIN SPORTS about the Southampton goal.

“Nathan Redmond gave a great ball to Minamino.

“But what is very interesting for the strikers to watch is the number of times Minamino lifted his head to see where the keeper is.

“I think you see twice clearly that he lifts his head.

“And after that – the composure in the situation – he is composed despite being under real pressure.

“This guy is an artist.

“I would say as well it is an art of bad defending from Chelsea. There is no communication, but what the striker does is exceptional.”

Carragher: Liverpool cannot score

Minamino only started four Premier League matches for Liverpool in a year after signing from Salzburg in January 2020.

While he develops with Southampton, Liverpool are in an alarming slump.

The Reds lost 2-0 to Everton on Saturday in their fourth straight home defeat.

“Liverpool have been so poor, they have got everything deserved,” said their former Champions League winner Jamie Carragher.

“They can’t keep saying, ‘Virgil van Dijk is out’. I’m sick of saying it myself.

“Going forward is as big a problem as what we are seeing defensively from Liverpool now.

“I know Liverpool have dominated possession but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t create.

“And that is a big problem for this Liverpool team.

“Very rarely do you see Liverpool play now when you expect them to score.”

Graeme Souness was another angry former player after the derby defeat, calling the team “an easy touch”.