The success story of Liverpool in the European Champions League for last season would not be complete without adulating and noting Belgian attacking stalwart Divock Origi.
In the build-up to the Champions finals in Madrid, Origi starred in the return semi-final game against Barcelona at Anfield, thanks to a banjaxed Roberto Firmino. He was a thorn in the flesh of the Barcelona players from start to finish – a tap-in in the 7th minute was followed by a staggering 79th minutes curve to make it a brace, following a cheeky corner kick by Alexander Trent-Arnold.
Despite leading the Reds to one of the greatest comebacks in football history with a 4-0 win, Origi was left on the bench in the final game at Wanda Metropolitano. Football betting was thought to be easier with Firmino ahead of him in the selection pecking order but the aforementioned Brazilian was largely ineffective as Tottenham defenders kept him at bay.
The introduction of Origi threw the fan base of the Reds into a frenzy and to justify his selection, he eventually etched his name in the history good books of the club after scoring the second goal. Now dubbed as the hero of the club, Origi is expected to play a huge role in Liverpool’s Premier League chase next season.
His arrival at Liverpool preceded Klopp’s. The 24-year-old Belgian joined the Reds from Lille in the summer of 2014 in a  £10 million deal and he was loaned back to the French club immediately. He had an unsuccessful loan spell with Wolfsburg in the penultimate season where he scored only six goals in the Bundesliga.
Until the second half of last season, his stock was relatively low and he was a bit-part player for the Reds. But now, he looks ready to lead the charge for the Reds as they continue to search for the elusive league title.
The recent upsurge in the form of Origi is one that raises the level of hope for Liverpool. Although he has been linked with a move to Real Betis, per Liverpool Echo, he has proven without a doubt that he can stand-in for Firmino for the point-man position of the club.
While the lure of playing regularly is said to be tempting the striker to consider his future with the Merseyside club, Klopp has been able to convince him to stay at Liverpool. Talks are still ongoing and he is expected to extend his contract on a long term deal.
The onus now lies of Klopp to dissipate game time adequately to his favour as a way of rewarding him for his barnstorming form in the last term. Given his latest display, Origi has certainly grown and he’s earned the trust of the fans to start a game as the front three would all have been playing throughout the summer and may need an extended break before they are available again to the first team squad.
