Takumi Minamino suffers penalty heartbreak after Liverpool 'lost' admission

Former Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino missed a penalty for Japan in their penalty shootout loss to Croatia in the last-16 of the World Cup.

Minamino, who is now playing for Ligue 1 side Monaco, came on as a substitute for the Japanese in the second half and stepped up first in the shootout only to have his spot kick saved by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Croatia, who were beaten by France in the 2018 World Cup final, will progress to the last eight and face the winner of South Korea vs Brazil on Monday night.

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After making the move from RB Salzburg in January 2020, Minamino played a bit-part role for Liverpool after struggling to break into the side ahead of the formidable Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

Last month, the Japan star spoke about his time at Anfield: "There've been moments I thought, 'What if I had played constantly during that period?',” said Minamino. “I'm striving now to make sure I can say I gained something (from that time)."

He added: "I had lost some of the feeling with the ball at my feet along with confidence, but I'm gradually getting them back and I'll get even better as my physical condition improves.”

Ex-Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren will once again play in the quarter-finals of the World Cup as he captained Croatia once Luka Modric was brought off.
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