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This former Liverpool player has suffered a season-ending injury which will impact his World Cup hopes
The striker joins an already lengthy list of absentees as the Reds head into the new year. Anfield isn’t the only place struggling with injuries either, as former Liverpool star Takumi Minamino is now ruled out for the rest of this season, and more than likely the upcoming World Cup.
Ex-Liverpool star Takumi Minamino suffers ACL injury
Minamino, who now plays for AS Monaco after leaving Liverpool in 2022, suffered an ACL injury during his latest appearance in the Coupe de France on Sunday. While the Red and Whites beat opponents Auxerre, they faced concerns surrounding Minamino, who was forced off the pitch in the first half of the match.
The club have since confirmed the severity of the versatile winger’s injury. The Coupe de France clash was their last of the year and Monaco will not return to action until January 3rd against Lyon in Ligue 1.
“During the [round of 64] Coupe de France match played in Auxerre, our midfielder Takumi Minamino suffered an injury to his left knee,” Monaco confirmed in a statement on social media. Medical examinations revealed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. Takumi will be able to count on the support of the entire Club throughout his recovery. Courage Taki, we're with you.”
Takumi Minamino World Cup blow
As ACL recoveries typically take between 6-12 months, Minamino’s domestic season is certainly over and he ‘looks certain’ to also miss his chance at the World Cup as well. The first match of the World Cup will see co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa on June 11th, 2026. Minamino’s Japan are in action three days later when they face the Netherlands.
Minamino is a regular for his national team, and scored in last month’s friendly against Ghana. However, with just six months to go until the World Cup kicks off, the 30-year-old has too high of a mountain to climb to return to fitness in time to play on the world’s biggest stage.
Minamino would have met with former Liverpool teammates throughout the tournament. Japan’s opener against the Netherlands would have seen him reunited with Virgil van Dijk, who is expected to lead his side out in what will likely be his final World Cup. He joined Liverpool in January 2020 from Red Bull Salzburg after they activated his £7.25 million release clause a month prior. He made 55 appearances for the Reds and scored 14 goals, operating mostly as a rotational player under Jurgen Klopp.
The Japanese attacker was sold to Monaco in 2022 for £15.5 million, seeing Liverpool made a decent profit. Minamino was a part of the the historic team that lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time in 2020.
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