2018/19 Season Report Card - Divock Origi

One of the least likely success stories in recent times. Two years ago he was loaned out because he was (rightfully) behind Dom Solanke in the pecking order. One year ago he was on the market but nobody was willing to meet an asking price reported to be around £20m.

Wolves were the one club who seemed genuinely interested last summer, but they wouldn’t pay the asking price and the rest is history.

As it turns out, the goals he scored this season were worth more than double the fee we wanted for him. Funny old game, Saint.

I’ll be honest, I’d have happily seen Divock leave last summer as he’d done nothing for two years and there was no reason to think this year would be any different. He didn’t exactly light it up in pre-season, and with Sturridge looking rejuvenated and fitter than he’d done for years, Origi just looked like a spare part.

There was nothing to suggest he’d have much of a role to play and that’s why he was available for such a relatively low fee. £20m might not seem like that low a fee, but in today’s market it really is. He’s an international striker and only 24 years of age. Someone really should have taken him for £20m but luckily for us they never. 

It’s really tough getting a handle on him. For a while there he looked like he was going to be a real player, but after the Funes Mori tackle he just wasn’t the same. I don’t think it was the injury itself that did the damage, it was more that it came at a time when he was absolutely killing it, and when he came back he wasn’t at the same level and his confidence suffered.

He just never looked the same and his loan in Germany last year was mostly a waste of time. This late season impact he’s had just pretty much came out of nowhere. He deserves every bit of adulation that comes his way though because the success he had was a direct result hard work and a fantastic attitude. I can't praise him enough.

He started the season completely out of the picture but through hard work and patience he managed to turn things around completely, to the point where he’s ended the season as an Anfield legend. His name will go down in history thanks to the immense contribution he made to ‘number six’.

It really is one of the unlikeliest success stories of modern times. Back in August he wasn’t even getting on the bench. He wasn’t really wanted, either by us or anyone else. Yet by the end of the season he was scoring twice at Anfield in a 4-0 win over Barcelona and then bagging one in the final. 

How did he do it? Hard work and a great attitude. It’s that simple really. He could have sulked and given up, but he did the opposite. He kept his head down, didn’t complain and just tried to train as well as he could and catch the manager’s eye. With the front three automatic selections, and Sturridge and Shaqiri starting the season in great form, we barely saw Divock at all.

He got 11 minutes against Red Star in November, and then as a desperate throw of the dice in December’s Derby he got six minutes plus stoppage time. Of course we all know what happened at the end of those six minutes plus stoppage time. One of the all time classic derby moments as well as one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Klopp sprinting across the turf just added to the hilarity.

He started the next game, away at Burnley, but didn’t do much and then had to wait a month for another chance in an FA Cup tie against Wolves. He worked harder than anyone on the field that night and although he wasn’t brilliant, he did score and his attitude stood out like a beacon on an evening when virtually everybody else stank the place out.

He’d earned a shot and after that he was usually a part of the match day squad, regularly getting a few minutes at the end of games. He scored against Watford on a rare start and then of course he came off the bench to score the winner at Newcastle. Ultimately that didn’t count for a great deal but at the time it felt huge. Three days later came Barcelona. 

He had to start that one because Bobby was out and Mo picked up a concussion at St James. We didn’t miss either of them because Origi delivered big time.

The first goal was a case of being in the right place at the right time but the second was a great finish and also showed he was on his toes. No-one else, from either side, was paying attention at that moment except Alexander-Arnold and Origi. The goal will be remembered for generations to come.

Firmino was fit for the final, well, sort of, so Origi was back on the bench. As soon as he came on though I knew he’d score. Not because I think he’s some sort of superstar, but because it just felt inevitable based on how the season had gone for him. He was pretty poor actually (along with every other attacker on the field, except maybe Sadio who was ok), but the finish was brilliant. Left foot, bottom corner, keeper no chance. 

I still don’t really know what Origi is though. Since he’s been at the club his form has fluctuated wildly. I thought he was shite, then I thought he was good, then he was shite again and now I don’t have a clue. 

He’s nowhere near as good as the big three, yet he has shown a knack for delivering in vital moments. Has he just been lucky this season? Maybe. Or maybe he’s just one of those players who won’t necessarily contribute much in the build up and will often look poor, but who will get you a goal when you really need it. 

If you put a gun to my head and asked me if he’s good enough to stay and provide competition for the front three I’d say “no”. But I’d feel incredibly guilty about it and probably hate myself.

Rating 7/10: 

Really difficult this because in terms of the impact he had and the size of his contributions, it’s a 10. But it also has to be based on performances. He didn’t really play much and when he did play, he was alright but nothing more.

Best Moment:

I don’t know. I’ve thought long and hard about it, but how do you choose? He scored one of the most dramatic - and most hilarious - goals in the history of the Merseyside Derby. Ordinarily that would be the highlight of anyone’s season, and in many cases career, but then he scored twice in the greatest game in Anfield history. And he wasn’t done there, as he scored in a European Cup final. So in short, I don’t know, but if I have to choose I’ll go with his second goal against Barca.

Worst Moment:

He could have won the game at West Ham for us in the last minute but couldn’t take the chance. It wasn’t a sitter or anything, but if he’d earned us two extra points there then we’d be Champions and I’d be petitioning the club to build a statue of him. I might still do it anyway.

The Future?

He might sign a new contract and stay or he might leave for regular football. Who knows? Whatever happens, he’s guaranteed himself a place in Anfield folklore after his exploits this season.