KEY POINTS
- Liverpool defeated Everton 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday
- Robertson and Origi were their goal scorers
- It was Origi's third league goal of the season
Jurgen Klopp has singled out Divock Origi for praise, calling the Belgian forward a "world-class striker" and Liverpool FC's "best finisher".
Klopp's comments came after Origi scored a crucial goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win against Everton in the Premier League on Sunday. Still just a point behind leaders Manchester City after 33 games, the Reds continue to fight for the league title.
After the first half went goalless at Anfield on Sunday, Klopp made changes, bringing in Luis Diaz and Origi, and those substitutions paid off in no time. In the 62nd minute, Mo Salah set up the goal scored by left-back Andy Robertson. Just when Everton tried to bounce back, Origi doubled Liverpool's lead by heading in Diaz's bicycle kick with six minutes left.
"He's a legend on and off the pitch, I have to say. That's how it is. He is a fantastic footballer, for me, and I know that sounds ridiculous because I don't line him up often. He is a world-class striker, he is our best finisher, definitely; he always was and everybody would say the same," Klopp said after Sunday's game, according to Liverpool's official website.
Origi sure has not been a regular member of Klopp's side over the last couple of seasons. He has not started a league game yet in the 2021-22 campaign and has made only six appearances for the Reds in the Premier League. However, all the three goals he scored in the league this season have been decisive. Meanwhile, injuries have further made it tough for the Belgian striker in the current campaign as he missed 13 games due to a muscle issue earlier this season.
Origi has scored six goals against Everton in all competitions for Liverpool, which is twice as many goals as he's scored against any other side for the Reds, according to Opta Joe.
"Div, everybody loves Div, and rightly so. He was again very decisive and I'm very, very happy for him," added Klopp in the same interview.
Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Divock Origi after he scored in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Everton Photo: POOL / Clive Brunskill
Origi, whose contract with Liverpool is due to expire at the end of the season, is expected to bid goodbye to Klopp's side. With the FIFA World Cup coming up later this year, Origi is looking for more regular game time, which appears impossible at Liverpool at present for him. So far this season, he has made only 16 appearances for the Reds, while he had played just 17 games last season.
It has been reported that Serie A club AC Milan are interested in signing Origi, who has been at Liverpool since 2014.
"We will never miss a player like him because if he leaves, he will explode wherever he goes," Klopp told Sky Sports after Liverpool's 2-0 win.
Liverpool's upcoming game is the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Villarreal at Anfield on Wednesday.
