LAST UPDATE | 4 Dec 2021
JURGEN KLOPP SAID Divock Origi deserves a manager who plays him more after the striker scored deep into stoppage time to take Liverpool top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Wolves.
The Belgian has scored some iconic goals in seven years since signing for the Reds, but has never nailed down a regular starting place.
Klopp even expressed surprise earlier this season there were no takers for Origi in the transfer market.
However, he proved his worth as a squad player by coming off the bench to end Wolves’ resistance at Molineux after the prolific trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota had failed to fire.
“Divock Origi, the legend, finished it off and it’s a great story,” said Klopp. “He’s an incredible striker, for different reasons he did not play that often but I hope one day he finds a manager that plays him more than I do.
“He’s one of the best finishers I’ve ever seen in my life. In this great team, with our three, he doesn’t play all the time but he is a very positive boy, loves the club, wants to contribute and he did in an incredible way.”
Chelsea’s defeat to West Ham earlier on Saturday handed Klopp’s men the chance to move ahead of the European champions.
Origi’s low finish from Salah’s cut-back moves Liverpool a point clear of the Blues and two ahead of Manchester City, who face Watford later on Saturday.
“Other results are not really important, we just want to win football games,” added Klopp. “We played three days ago and the derby (against Everton) is easy to focus on as it’s the game of the year, then we start the machine again and I like how we fought today.”
Liverpool had scored four goals in each of their last three league games and two or more in 18 straight games, but saw that run come to an end due to a rare off day with their finishing.
Trent Alexander-Arnold volleyed over before Jota headed over the first of his big chances to score against his former club.
Salah was denied a simple tap in for his 20th goal in as many games by a miraculous last-ditch challenge from Romain Saiss to divert Andy Robertson’s cross to safety.
The chances continued to come and go for Liverpool after the break, but none were bigger than the one presented to Jota midway through the half.
A mix up between Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa and Saiss allowed the Portuguese international to walk the ball towards and unguarded net, but he fired straight at Conor Coady on the line rather than placing the ball into the corner.
Heroics from Sa then seemed set to earn Wolves a point as he denied Mane and Salah.
But he was finally beaten with virtually the last kick of the game as this time Salah played the provider and picked out Origi, who spun before lashing the ball in low on his left foot to spark scenes of wild celebration from Klopp and the rest of the Liverpool bench.
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Load of twaddle if he is so good play him more. Total lip service
@Seanie Bourke: it’s called man management ya cl0wn
@Paul Jennings: it’s not man management. he gets game time here and there because In klopps eyes the other 4 are better then him. he has scored some v important goals for Liverpool but will eventually get fed up and will want more active game time and move on.
@Macca1986: precisely the definition of man management, he gets used when needed because there are better players ahead of him. But he gets credit when he gets in and delivers, so he stays and is a useful squad member when called upon….
@Macca1986: it’s total man management he is needed as back up so when he playes well u praise in to keep him happy all managers do it
@Paul Jennings: hate to say it but Ur the c!own,big time
@Paul Jennings: no bucko it not . He comes out and says” im shocked no one came in for him in d summer’ thats as good as saying he can go. But in the other breath he is coming out about his next manager total cr ap very much like your comment to me
@Seanie Bourke: That’s not man management. He is encouraging him to go by saying he needs to get more game time. Klopp is clearly desperate to sell him
@Seanie Bourke: it’s OK for us to comment that’s why klopp is the manager and a good 1 at that too
@Seanie Bourke: it’s the truth. Origi isn’t as good as the other 4 so doesn’t play that often. Klopp is showing respect by saying he deserves to play more in general… It just won’t be at Liverpool.
@Paul Jennings: No, it’s called ” talking out of the two sides of his mouth”. B…….t talk.
@Mickety Dee: Everton will buy him for £50million, and that will be the last we hear of him…
This is Divock Origi’s World and we’re just living in it
He’s welcome at Elland Road at any stage, quality player.
Another runners-up medal for the lad before he leaves. 7 minutes they spent on top and yet they think its May
@Graham Ryall: yes another runners up medal to add to the prem league one, the champs league one, the super cup one and the fifa World Cup ones that he won with LFC. Sorry those ones aren’t runners up ones. Not a bad haul at LFC. And you are right the seasons far from over but if you think LFC aren’t contenders then maybe stick a few quid on Newcastle to top the prem league come end of season! Money for jam son.
@Graham Ryall: only a United w@nk would say thay
@Graham Ryall: Man u supporter I guess
@Graham Ryall: what a t00ser!go and get an education
@Graham Ryall: your whinging and tears bring me joy. Understandable though, given that we cleared out your own stadium for yas. Lol.
Hes another Solksjaer only not as good and he(Ole) was quite happy being a squad player…
If you’re picking up handy money and winning Medals then you’re more than likely going to stay put.. Origi is exactly that
@Darren: bit of a premature comparison
@Johnny Mads: how he’s hardly anywhere near Oles level now??
@Johnny Mads: it’s a fine comparison in terms of their value to a team. Impact subs. Very important CL goals. I don’t think Ole get half the plaudits he gets from utd fans without the 99 final. Divock had a very similar season in CL.
@Darren: I’d say it’s a safe bet that Origi is a better manager than Ole!
@Max Bailey: bit of a premature comparison there, Ole done what he had to do and steadied the Ship, just like some relationships it ran its course. Origi is almost a super sub but he’s a bit to go yet to get near Oles level for scoring goals off the Bench and just like Ole makes very little difference when he actually starts a game..
That is some statement from that Manager — talking out of both sides of his mouth . ” one of the best strikers I ever seen”" — but he cannot get into the team, only now and again. What kind of nonsense is he talking???.
@Eugene Comaskey: What Klopp actually said was he’s one of the best ‘finishers’ not ‘striker’…two very different things. And Origi can’t get into the team because there’s four of the best strikers in the world ahead of him, pretty simple really.