"I won the championship with Liverpool, but that doesn t mean much to me - now I m leaving, I m happier."

This article is compiled from "Mirror", author Abbie Meehan

Takumi Minamino made history in the 2019/20 season, becoming the first Japanese player to be in the Red Jacket of the Liverpool, and won the Premier League Championship with the team a few months after joining the team. The talented left winger attracted the attention of Anfield fans in the Champions League group stage match against Liverpool.

In October 2019, he scored and assisted in a slight loss of 3-4 in the Austrian side. Just a few weeks later, the Reds reached an agreement to sign him in January after triggering the 7.25 million pound termination clause for Takumi Minamio.

Talking about the joy of joining Liverpool at that time, the winger said: "This has always been my dream, and becoming a Liverpool player is my dream. Now that the dream comes true, I am very excited."

After only 10 appearances in the league, Takumi Minamino witnessed a historic moment with other Liverpool players, who won the Premier League trophy for the first time. The Reds' victory was their first league title in 30 years and the earliest celebration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Takumi Minami felt he was not worthy of winning the medal, and he said in the 2021 Liverpool Official Match Day program that his joining mid-season had an impact on the celebration. "I feel very hard to describe," he said. "Of course I'm happy, but at the same time I've only been with the team for half a season, and I'm quite doubting whether I've contributed 100% to the team." I was proud when I lifted the trophy, but at the same time I realized that I need to be in good shape throughout the season, and my goal is to do that and help the team win the cup again this season. ”

Unfortunately, Takumi Minamio failed to get a key starting position in Liverpool's offensive line. However, over the next two seasons, he played 55 times for the team. During this period, he scored 14 goals and had three assists and was loaned to then-Premier team Southampton.

The Japanese international played 10 times for the Saints, scoring two goals before returning to Liverpool in the 2021/22 season.

Takumi Minamio found comfort elsewhere until the summer of 2022, leaving the Premier League to join the French Ligue 1 team Monaco, with a transfer fee of up to £15.5 million.

Since then, the 30-year-old has made 99 appearances for Monaco, scoring 19 goals and having 15 Assisted, he played well in a more advanced attack position. Although he has not won any trophys since leaving Liverpool, in March this year, Takumi Minamio said on Monaco's official website that he felt "very good" at the club and hopes to continue his career there for as long as possible.

Takumi Minamio's contract with Ligue 1 has now been extended to 2027, saying: "I am very happy to renew Monaco because I want to stay here for as long as possible. The club is full of confidence in me and gave me this new contract, which is the most important thing in my opinion. My personal life, my days at the club and my time with the staff have made me feel very happy. ”

He added: “I feel very good in Monaco, I like the city and the people here. I have a few Japanese friends living nearby, but the most important thing for me is football, which is why I want to renew my contract. ”

" In addition to that, I have several favorite restaurants in the Principality, and I like to go to the Tête de Chien restaurant, where the views of Monaco are so beautiful. ”

Takumi Minami won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup trophy with the team, and his trophy in England was quite fruitful.

However, the experienced winger seemed to value his personal achievements on the court more. He continued his fruitful career outside the halo of the Premier League and enjoyed it.

However, he must have been smiling from ear to ear when he watched his old club win the Premier League trophy at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool finally got what he wanted and ended perfectly with his first season as coach Arn Slott.