Japan international Takumi Minamino made a spirited debut for Liverpool in their 1-0 FA Cup win over Everton on Sunday.

Minamino guided the English Premier League leaders from the center forward role at Anfield and left the pitch to a standing ovation when he was replaced in the 70th minute.

"I was thrilled to finally be able to play, but I just wanted to play like normal," said Minamino, who transferred from Austrian first-division side Red Bull Salzburg.

"It doesn't get any better than this stadium for a player, the fans were fiery and it was good to win," he said. "It was probably the most intense match I've ever played."

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The 24-year-old garnered high praise from manager Jurgen Klopp for the attacking prowess he has showcased as a mainstay of the national team.

"Super, outstanding. Exactly the player we wanted, exactly the player we wished for," Klopp said according to Liverpoolfc.com.

"Your first game in a team you don't know, if it's a settled team it's already difficult...And then showing this kind of game understanding, football skills are exceptional, attitude is outstanding, led the chasing pack so often in different situations, which I loved."

Curtis Jones delivered Liverpool's winner in the FA Cup third-round match moments after Minamino was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

"He didn't look tired, but because we don't know him that long we just wanted to save him a little bit, so took him off," Klopp said.

Minamino said he knows he has to deliver "visible" results to stand any chance of becoming a regular in the Reds' first team.

"I think what I need to do is produce visible results, understand as quickly as I can what the team requires of me," he told Japanese media after the game.

"I'll need to do what's expected of me in matches and show my strengths."