Liverpool and Takumi Minamino seemed like a match made in heaven. The Japanese had all the hallmarks of a transfer steal, plucked, thanks to Michael Edwards' close relationship with Red Bull Salzburg, ahead of Manchester United, for a tiny £7.25m fee.While it hasn't quite worked out so far at Anfield, though, for Minamino, he could still prove to have been a worthwhile addition to the squad. Minamino could yet depart this summer, but it appears more likely he will stay and be a squad player for Liverpool during the upcoming season the exact role someone with his price tag should be able to play.Salzburg had come to Anfield and impressed just weeks before Minamino made the move. Minamino scored and was lively on the night, as was Hee-Chan Hwang now at RB Leipzig for Jesse Marsch's side. Liverpool won the game 4-3, but plenty on the opposition team made a positive impression, with their attacking, high-intensity football.Chiefly among those who stood out, clearly, was Erling Haaland. He only came on after 56 minutes, having picked up a little knock in the build-up to the game, and within four minutes had scored the equalising goal on the night (only for Mohamed Salah to fire the Reds in front again shortly afterwards).Haaland, now valued at around £150m, but with a £65m release clause coming into effect next summer, showed Liverpool exactly what they would soon be missing out on having chosen not to move for the Norwegian instead of the Japanese."It's easy to say that Liverpool should have signed Haaland instead of Takumi Minamino," said Matt Addison on the latest Liverpool.com podcast. Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated Articles"But you have to bring in Mino Raiola and the plan for Haaland's career: Dortmund for a couple of years, then move somewhere else. "They can get a big fee for each move, and I spoke to someone earlier in the week who explained that once Haaland leaves Dortmund, there will be a 15m signing on fee for his agent and another 10m for his father. "£65m is the release clause next summer but in reality, it is going to be a lot more than that. "It is not just as simple as saying Liverpool should have paid £10m more and got Haaland over Minamino. There are other things that come into it, including the wider Mino Raiola plan. "He wants him to do as many clubs as possible because that means as many agent's fees as possible as well." "The position of Dortmund is unique: they are a big club, but they are also very much a selling club," explained James Martin."They have built a reputation for being a finishing school for promising players, and they are the only club who can promise those minutes. "He came in and was instantly the first name on the Dortmund teamsheet. If he signs for Liverpool, in hindsight you would say, of course, that he would make the team, but in reality, that is not necessarily true. "Jürgen Klopp likes bedding players in, he was a very young striker, and there is no guarantee he would have gone straight in, exploded and become the player that we see today it may well not have happened."It is just too easy to make the Minamino and Haaland comparison there is no guarantee that he would have turned into the same player quite so quickly." "He certainly doesn't feel like the kind of guy who would have been happy sitting on the bench waiting for his chance, and his development might not have gone in the same way," said Mo Stewart."We have to remember that it takes more than just the talent that he has for him to come in and make an impact straight away."As Minamino struggles to ignite his Liverpool career fully, seeming destined for a bit-part role at best, glances at Haaland are only likely to increase. But things, quite simply, are not as straightforward as a direct choice between the pair, on paper, might suggest.Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated Articles