Joe Cole says Takumi Minamino has 'found a home' at Southampton after scoring his second goal in three games since arriving on loan.
The Japanese star joined the Saints on deadline day after struggling for game-time at Liverpool.
And Minamino has already scored more leagues goal for the South coast club than he had at Liverpool, since the Reds signed him in January 2020.
Minamino opened the scoring after running onto a lovely through ball by Nathan Redmond, before sitting down Edouard Mendy and Cesar Azpilicueta before tucking home.
BT Sport pundit Cole said: 'Minamino recognises there's an inch of space and it's all about the quality of pass from (Nathan) Redmond into him and his finish is exquisite.
'This is what we should have seen from a Liverpool player. He's here, he's found a home and it's a great finish.'
The 26-year-old joined Liverpool in January 2020, after impressing against Jurgen Klopp's side for RB Salzburg in that season's Champions League.
However he made just two league starts for the Reds this season, scoring his first league goal in his last outing for Jurgen Klopp's side during a 7-0 victory over Crystal Palace in December.
Minamino's goal against Chelsea comes after he scored on his debut for the Saints in a 3-2 defeat against Newcastle.
Now on six goals in all competitions this season, fans have questioned why Liverpool let Minamino go over Divock Origi.
The Belgian striker has just one goal in the Carabao Cup this season, in 15 appearances mostly coming off the bench.
Boland98 tweeted: 'Why we let Minamino go on loan baffles me,' while FavelaFlair added: 'I'll never understand why Liverpool got rid of Minamino instead of Oirigi. Very strange decision.'
Joe Hughes commented: 'The fact that Divock Origi was above Minamino in the pecking order at Liverpool is mind blowing.'
Footballsbante1 posted a video of someone on ArsenalFanTV with their head in the heads with the caption: 'Me trying to figure out why liverpool sold Ings, loaned out Minamino but still managed to keep Origi.'
Social media users also made light of the current bad form Liverpool find themselves in, as well as Thiago's struggles since joining the Reds.
Singhness tweeted: 'Liverpool need goals but Klopp ships Minamino to Southampton to score goals.'
Jeho commented: 'Minamino >>> Thiago I’m afraid' while UtdAyush added: 'Minamino at Liverpool would've done a better job than Thiago is doing currently at Liverpool just saying.'
jioceln
2
am very disappointed with Barcelona guys
miteklnsu
0
Pay a team to take Origi..He is no good at Liverpool.. (a waste of time)
Vatcmptz
0
mina you deserve it
laehcim
0
coach knws what's best for his team
Boabcmnrty
0
his on loan to build confident no problem his gonna be back after his loa spell
KingAJ2004
0
klop is clever, at Southampton he gets playing time and he gets to develop once he is ready we will get him back and he will conquer
he is 26 though
bchamp
1
klop is clever, at Southampton he gets playing time and he gets to develop once he is ready we will get him back and he will conquer
nidabilprz
0
Shaqiri is better than farmino
mudbdltz
0
Kloop is sturbon thinks he knows it all has destroyed motivation to other players sticking to his so called loyal players
Gajaak
0
Means minamino didn't suit Liverpool's system
Klopp plays Mane Salah and firmino every game he can't rotate the forward line at all...
Gajaak
3
Klopp will stick to Salah, Mane and firmino for thousand years..the same guys starting every match since 2017 and now they're exhausted but he doesn't want to rest them by rotating the squad...
sukbenoz
1
he is best suited for Southampton
diaacop
0
mina was not treated fairly at liverpool he is young energetic and was not given enough chance
he is actually 26 years old
MuawuyaAhmadAbubak
2
hi minamino is the best
emabkr42
1
liverpool dont get rid origi because of ucl 2019.
Vatcmptz
1
mina was not treated fairly at liverpool he is young energetic and was not given enough chance
DrFranckeinstein
2
Too much competition and High profile players at Liverpool. so I won't say it's Mr Jurgen Klopp fault if things didn't go smoothly for Him
athuma
30
English media Once you start performing well they will praise.. but when you fail they will criticize you!!! pls allow him to play his football
NewtScamander
5
I think Liverpool couldn’t find space for him cause he is a non-EU player... Nevertheless, he should be a valuable asset after this loan spell
Hecadksuy
2
It's not the players failure but coaches preferable in EPL, Asian players are deemed not good enough to last even a full match even giving a sterling performance like Son of Spurs. unlike European clubs where Asian players are well utilised
deba_LFC
2
now that's it Mina' it's only up from her bro, ynwa!!!!!!! those LFC fans that said he wasn't good enough, ehhh, can u now see how u r wasting ur life!?
Takashi3577
2
It’s obvious Minamino finds it hard to play under d pressure that comes with big teams. Salzburg n Southampton are easier and better for him. Proud of u man. I just hope he doesn’t turn out to b another Danny Ings
Willhen
1
simple reason no other team wanted Origi soton wants Minamino
lloyd_kartel
0
Means minamino didn't suit Liverpool's system
He does, he just needs more time
Hoteimnst
1
No Asian
Booadimopr
3
he is the second player to score against Tuchel chelsea, after Rudiger from chelsea
jacknit
4
Means minamino didn't suit Liverpool's system