Milner Praises Minamino After Liverpool's 2-1 Win: 'You're Delighted For Him Everytime He Scores'

Liverpool FC vice-captain James Milner heaped praise on Takumi Minamino after the Japanese forward netted two goals on Wednesday. He said, "you're delighted for him every time he scores."

Minamino led Liverpool to a 2-1 victory over Norwich City in the FA Cup. With the latest victory at Anfield, Liverpool have progressed to the quarter-finals.

"He's a great guy. What a guy, what a player. He's been patient. Obviously, with the players we have, there's competition all over the field. But every time he comes in, he's ready and he delivers. He's such a nice guy. You're delighted for him every time he scores. He just carries on. Every single day he's at that level. He's brilliant in training, [has a] great temperament no matter what's happening, you can rely on him," Milner was quoted by Liverpool media as saying after his side's 2-1 win.

"He comes in and keeps scoring goals – and important goals as well. Absolutely delighted for him to get those two," Milner added.

Liverpool defeated Chelsea on penalties to claim the League Cup at Wembley on Sunday. Minamino netted four goals in five games, including an injury-time equalizer in the quarter-final clash with Leicester City that took the game to penalties.

Unfortunately, Jurgen Klopp did not play Minamino in the final. The Japanese forward remained an unused substitute but the Liverpool boss was sure that Minamino would hold no grudges.

"It was for sure very disappointing, I can imagine. I didn't speak to him about it; these are the hard decisions I have to make, which line-up I decide. Actually, my decision is a very positive one because I decide for the player, but it means for other players that they are not involved and that’s obviously then not so cool," said Klopp when reporters asked him about Minamino not playing the League Cup final.

"But how Taki is, I don’t think that was the reason why he played so good tonight. He isn’t a person for this kind of anger or whatever. But it’s just the situation he is in. Obviously, the decision for the line-up on Sunday was kind of the right one because we won the game in the end. My decisions get tested by the results we can get and the players have just to keep working," the German boss added.

Liverpool's next game is a home fixture against West Ham in the 2021-22 Premier League on Saturday. The Reds are the only side to have won each of their last five league games.

The Merseyside side is second in the table and is six points behind leaders Manchester City. But Liverpool have a game in hand.