Roy Keane delivers verdict on Liverpool star who lost the ball 16 times against Norwich City

Roy Keane delivers verdict on Liverpool star who lost the ball 16 times against Norwich City

Former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has singled out Reds striker Takumi Minamino for special praise following Liverpool’s FA Cup victory on Wednesday night.

The Reds advanced to the quarter-final of the competition for the first time under Jurgen Klopp with a narrow 2-1 win over Norwich City at Anfield.

Two goals from the Japan international ultimately proved decisive for a Liverpool side that won the Carabao Cup after two hours of football against Chelsea on Sunday evening.

Minamino was an unused substitute at Wembley, but the former Salzburg attacker started tonight and the Reds certainly looked to benefit from his freshness.

Takumi Minamino celebrates after scoring against Norwich City. (Getty Images)

Speaking after Liverpool’s victory over Norwich City in the fifth round of the FA Cup Keane told ITV: “Takumi Minamino deserves a lot of credit. He should be delighted.”

The 27-year-old was the difference for Liverpool tonight, but it certainly wasn’t a perfect performance from Minamino.

He did score a stunning goal, but the attacker still lost possession on 16 occasions [SofaScore], illustrating that he wasn’t hugely economic with the ball despite his heroics where it mattered.

However, Keane may be right considering that Minamino does deserve the praise that’ll follow over the coming days.

He hasn’t been a roaring success since joining Liverpool a little over two years ago and even spent the second half of last season on loan at Southampton and therefore nights like this will mean the world to him.

In other news, “It will be difficult”- Jamie Carragher says 30-year-old Liverpool star won be a regular starter anymore