Liverpool V AC Milan

[Pidge]

well, yes, but he was behind where I thought he should have been in terms of development when he arrived.  The bulking up was deliberate, nothing to do with growing up.

 

That deliberate decision only really becomes a responsible option as you grow up.  He seems to have gotten to the level we could have hoped within a reasonable timeline. How many 18/19 players can you sign who immediately come in at that level?

 

They exist, but you don't sign them for £10m.

[TalkSilly]

I think Origi was first choice before he got injured. And I think he'll be first choice again once he's fully match fit. Which is probably from the start of the season. Not necessarily because he's a better player than Sturridge, but because he's better in Klopp's system.

 

He was, Klopp elected to play him in front of Sturridge in Dortmund, he scored and gave Hummels and co the runaround, we really should have won that game. After that he came on at half-time and scored twice in the 4:1 home win over Stoke. Scored the goal that started the revival against Dortmund in the home leg, only played the last 15 minutes in the 2:1 away win at Bournemouth then started again in front of Sturridge in the Anfield derby, opening the scoring again before Funes Mori crocked him. Arguably our best run of form all season coincided with his emergence. The result in Basle might well have been very different if Origi had been fully fit and able to start.

 

My only reservation with him is injuries, apart from the unavoidable Funes Mori stamp he missed a few months around the turn of the year. If he's fit and on form he could be crucial to our fortunes next season.