Ex-Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino is branded Ligue 1 ‘flop of the season’ so far, with Monaco’s £15m summer signing hammered for being ‘FRAIL’ by French press
- Takumi Minamino left Liverpool to join Monaco in £15million deal this summer
- The Japan international has already been labelled as Ligue 1 flop of the season
- He has started just two games and deployed from the bench on six occasions
- Minamino scored his first goal for the club this weekend in 3-0 win over Reims
Former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino has been branded as the Ligue 1 flop of the season so far by French media.
The 27-year-old brought an end to his two-and-a-half year stay with the Reds this summer as he joined Monaco in a £15million deal.
Since joining his new club, Minamino has been limited to just two starts in Ligue 1 and deployed from the bench on six occasions.
Monaco forward Takumi Minamino has been branded as the Ligue 1 flop of the season
After just eight games, the Japanese star has been labelled as the biggest flop by Quotidien Du Sport.
Explaining their decision, they said: ‘The Japanese had to speed up the Monegasque game and bring movement in attack. In nine games, he played six, and never stayed on the pitch for more than 67 minutes.
‘Replaced or substitute, Minamino seems too frail physically and struggling in the intensity of the duels, we understand why he did not win in the Premier League.’
The Japan international scored his first goal for the club on Sunday as Monaco beat Reims
Minamino put the criticism to one side as he scored his first goal for Monaco during their 3-0 win over Reims on Sunday.
During his time in Merseyside, he was mainly deployed as a substitute, having struggled for consistency.
But Minamino enjoyed his best campaign with the Reds last term. He scored 10 goals, seven which came in cup competitions as Jurgen Klopp’s side won the domestic double.