Reaction'You're delighted for Takumi Minamino every time he scores'
James Milner was delighted to see the deserving Takumi Minamino produce a match-winning display in Liverpool’s 2-1 Emirates FA Cup victory over Norwich City.
Liverpool 2-1 Norwich: Extended highlights
Minamino bagged a pair of goals in the first half at Anfield on Wednesday night to secure the Reds’ progression into the quarter-finals of the competition.
The No.18 took his scoring tally this season in the domestic cups to seven, with Milner hailing the forward’s ability to deliver whenever called upon.
Asked about Minamino, the vice-captain told ITV: "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.
"He comes in and keeps scoring goals – and important goals as well. Absolutely delighted for him to get those two."
Liverpool held on against the Canaries in the fifth-round tie after Lukas Rupp had pulled one back to set up a tense finish.
Milner said: "When we get into that position [at 2-0], we should have seen out the game, kept the ball better [in the] second half definitely.
"We tried to keep it but the movement probably wasn't there, we didn't move it quick enough, which is disappointing.
"But there's reasons why – obviously the weekend, the emotion of that – but that doesn't make it right. We know we can do better, we know we can improve.
"But there's a few boys in there who haven't played too much football as well, so I think it was a game that was going to be tough.
"They had a free hit, they've got some strong players and they were going to come here with a free hit, so it was always going to be a tough night."