Ever since his £10million move to Anfield, questions have been asked about Divock Origi’s abilities to be the next big striker for Liverpool. To be honest, the Belgian does have a tough act of following former world class strikers at Anfield and prove his worth.
After a slow start to the 2015/16 season, things have really turned for Origi since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival. Best known for his speed and dribbling abilities, 20-year old was trusted to be Liverpool’s leading striker against Borussia Dortmund in a massive Europa League quarter final game last night.
By picking Origi, Klopp told everyone that seniority is not the criteria for selection at Liverpool as a more experienced Daniel Sturridge waited best part of 80 minutes to get his chance.
Most pleasing thing for Klopp must have been to see his young striker perform admirably against a tough opponent. Origi’s goal was a perfect example of his anticipation, technique and composure which allowed him to first sense Milner’s aerial duel and then to delay his show past Weidenfeller to eventually give Liverpool the all important away goal.
It was not only his goal which got the Liverpool manager raving about his striker but it was Origi’s selfless running for his team. He constantly threatened Dortmund’s central defenders and kept them in their own half.
It could be the performance which sees Origi cement his place in Klopp’s long-term plans. He may not be the starting figure every week, but he will certainly be one of key players Liverpool will look at in remaining weeks of this campaign and the next season.
As for Sturridge, he needs to prove his worth and fitness to the club in order to be Liverpool’s first choice striker. The same can be said to his national boss Roy Hodgson as well, who will most certainly include Sturridge in his provisional squad but cannot guarantee him a starting role at Euro 2016.
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