ExplainedHow Takumi Minamino once broke a Guinness World Record

In January 2014, during his spell at Cerezo Osaka in Japan, the forward took time out from his fledgling professional football career to achieve the most high-fives in one minute with a total of 187.

We’ll just let Minamino himself pick up the story.

“Yes, I held the record for the most high-fives in a minute, but I think it has been broken,” the Liverpool No.18 said in the official matchday programme for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Leicester City.

“It happened when I played for Cerezo Osaka and it was an event organised by the club for people living in the area, in the town. About 200 people queued up in a line in a shopping centre and as I was the youngest player in the team I was chosen to join them.

“I had to run down the line and high-five them and I managed to make the Guinness World Records.

“It is a very good memory and we still talk about it. Maybe it would be good fun if I celebrated a goal for Liverpool like this!”

As it happened, Minamino had plenty to celebrate at the end of a thrilling tie against Leicester at Anfield, the 26-year-old continuing his scoring run in the Carabao Cup by providing a 95th-minute equaliser as the Reds came from 2-0 and 3-1 behind to force a penalty shootout.

Minamino sent his own spot-kick over the crossbar but Jürgen Klopp’s side prevailed 5-4 nevertheless and can now look forward to a semi-final versus Arsenal next month.

That crucial finish at the Kop end was Minamino’s fifth goal of 2021-22 so far and he discussed his form, ambitions and more in the rest of the interview featured in the programme.

Read a summary below…

On enjoying playing in the Carabao Cup…

I have been given more game time in the Carabao Cup, which is a great opportunity for me. It is a chance to show what I can do and to prove myself and I am happy that I could contribute to the team’s wins. I hope I can continue to do more of the same.

On his two years at Liverpool so far…

I have been having a very good time at this club. It was my childhood dream to play for Liverpool. I used to enjoy watching Liverpool matches, and the Premier League is one of the most popular leagues in Japan. It was one of my dreams to play in this league so I’m having a really nice time here and I would love to contribute even more. Of course the weather here sometimes has too much rain and cloud, but it is OK. English food? I like fish and chips. The atmosphere of the city is very good. Because of COVID, I haven’t had enough chances to get to know more about England just yet. I would like to discover more things I will like in England in the future.

On his favourite moment at the club to date…

My favourite moment here so far is when we won the Premier League. We raised the trophy at Anfield and I did it as a Liverpool player. That is my favourite moment and the first people I called afterwards were my parents, my family.

On the benefits of his loan spell at Southampton last season…

As a player it was very important for me to play in games to get used to the speed and the power of Premier League football. Since I’ve come back to Liverpool I’ve felt that the experience of going to Southampton on loan has been really good, but I still want to give more and use that experience of playing at a high level. Everything is higher level in the Premier League. For example, the transition from attacking to defending is really quick in comparison and the speed of the game is much faster too. Everything is higher level here and you have to get used to it to be at that level.

On turning 27 soon and whether he feels at his peak as a player…

As a footballer the ages between 26 and 30 are your best time, the time when you can play at your peak as a player. For myself at these ages I would like to play as many games as possible, but I am at the best club in the world and I can spend the best time of my career at this club. As I have said before, I would like to contribute to this club as much as possible. That is the best thing I can do.

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