Jurgen Klopp has lavished praise on Divock Origi after the striker played a valuable role in Liverpool’s stirring 3-2 win against AC Milan in the opening game of the Champions League group stage.
In a game which Liverpool had to come from behind to win despite dominating for the majority of the 90 minutes, it was a opportunity for some squad players to get some valuable minutes.
One of them was Origi, a player who has a special place in the hearts of many Liverpool fans for his exploits in this same competition two years ago.
However instead of using that level of confidence to take his game to the next level, the Belgian has flattered to deceive and in more recent times has been on the periphery of the squad.
Indeed this fixture against the Italian giants saw the 26 year-old clock up his first minutes for the senior team this season and his first start since the 31st of January against West Ham.
It almost seemed a matter of time before Origi was going to move on in the summer, however that time never came to pass and it even left the manager a bit surprised as he explained after the thrilling fixture per the Echo.
“To be 100 percent honest, I thought he would leave in the summer, but the football world is a crazy place and obviously people forgot how good he is.
“So I have said this, it is really difficult to get in this team and it's just that we have to work and I have to decide.
"There are difficult decisions who to pick, who to bring on and Divock has done nothing wrong.
“He trains, he gives everything and sometimes you still don't play [yourself] into the squad and that can happen when everyone's fit.
"In 10 years time' when people look back he will be a Liverpool legend. He is too young to be seen as a legend already so he has to play football.”
Origi who came into the starting lineup for Sadio Mane, played just over a hour and certainly made an impact playing a perfectly weighted ball for Mo Salah to run onto and equalise just after half time.
Klopp was certainly praiseworthy of his efforts on the night.
“Divock Origi is an outstanding striker and he did really well tonight. It's just really difficult to get in this team to be honest.
“He wasn't injured, he got a cramp, which is normal and for now that is just it.
"I am really happy today to give him the opportunity and that he used it like he did.
“It's just really difficult to get in this team to be honest.
“That is what makes life sometimes a bit uncomfortable but Divock is a great guy."
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