Takumi Minamino felt 'harsh' reality at Liverpool but it's all changed now

Takumi Minamino has admitted to one thing that made life in Liverpool harder for him. The Japan international was at Anfield for two-and-a-half years, before leaving for Monaco in 2022.

Now 29, Minamino had more than his fair share of valid excuses for struggling at Liverpool. He arrived in January 2020, meaning that he had barely been at the club two months before Covid shut everything down, confining him to barracks in his new unfamiliar home.

He was also making a big leap, having been signed directly from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. Yet he did eventually somewhat find his feet, top-scoring for Liverpool in both the FA Cup and the League Cup in 2022 as the Reds went on to claim both trophies.

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This proved to be the perfect way to sign off ahead of his move to Monaco. And speaking from the Principality, Minamino has admitted to a rather more run of the mill struggle he had to endure at Liverpool.

Japanese company Yanmar is running an ongoing 'Minamino Report' series, in which it checks in with the former Liverpool man. In the latest article, he talked about settling into his new surroundings:

"Monaco is a unique country unlike any other," he said. "It's difficult to make a simple comparison, but I feel that Monaco is more attractive in terms of livability than any other country.

"When I lived in Liverpool, I especially felt the harsh weather, but even in that respect, Monaco is overwhelmingly comfortable. The beauty of this city and its good public safety are also great factors for peace of mind when welcoming family and friends."

On the pitch, Minamino took some time to settle in Monaco as well, but he has started to come into his own. He recorded nine goals and six assists in Ligue 1 last season, playing a major role in the side.

Liverpool.com says: Minamino certainly isn't the first to complain about the Liverpool weather. And while it's completely out of the club's control (and honestly not that bad!), it can be a genuine headache when it comes to player recruitment.

We sometimes forget that players are people. They are concerned about what their lifestyle will look like, and London is often preferred.

And in fairness to Minamino, it must have seemed pretty bleak in 2020. Regardless of how you assess the Liverpool weather, it will have been the worst he has ever experienced, and he had to adjust to that at a time when the pandemic was having a hugely isolating effect. We're glad to see him happy at Monaco.