Ralf Rangnick has backed Red Bull Salzburg playmaker Takumi Minamino to be a success at Liverpool.

On Thursday, Salzburg confirmed that they are holding discussions with the European champions regarding a deal for the Japan international, who has a release clause in his contract.

With the completion of the transfer expected to be a formality, Red Bull's head of sport and development Rangnick has heaped praised on the 24-year-old.

Rangnick told Sky Sports News: "You could see he was good on the ball, very technical, good mentality. He is also like many Japanese players, willing to invest in the team's efforts to win the ball back.

'Of course he had to learn those things tactically, but his willingness and his mentality was already there. He's not the kind of player to say, 'OK the other team has got the ball so, please let me know once we have the ball so I then can take part in the game again.'

"Even at the age of 19, you could see he was a good boy."

Minamino has twice faced Liverpool in the Champions League this season, with a goal and an assist coming in the 4-3 defeat at Anfield.