There may have been no fans there but Liverpool Football Club made sure there was a proper party on Wednesday night.Following their 5-3 victory over Chelsea at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s side lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time.There was a podium on the Kop and all the fireworks and confetti you could imagine.Following last season’s agony of reaching 97 points and missing out on the title by a single point after a single loss, who could begrudge the Liverpool players and staff this celebration?And many of them were clearly loving it.Mohamed Salah dyed his hair red, Roberto Firmino was wearing his ‘Bobby Dazzler’ glasses while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jurgen Klopp were on the beers.However, some were a little more reserved. None more so that January arrival, Takumi Minamino.The Japanese international has made nine Premier League appearances since his move from Red Bull Salzburg and, therefore, is well deserving of his Premier League winners’ medal.But it was clear that he’s yet to fully integrate into the squad.After walking up the steps onto the podium on the Kop to collect his medal, Minamino stood awkwardly with his arms crossed as he looked at his teammates having the time of their lives.
But after captain Jordan Henderson had lifted the Premier League trophy, a video emerged of him going over to Minamino and led him through the crowd of players so he could lift the trophy himself.
Class.
That’s why he’s captain.
Later, a video shows Minamino - still looking slightly sheepish - having pictures taken with the trophy.
So wholesome.
With Henderson’s help, Minamino can become a very important member of this title-winning squad next season as he becomes more confident on and off the pitch.
It wasn’t quite Gareth Bale level of awkwardness though, was it?