The Liverpool’s unsung hero with Kenyan roots , Divock Origi, ‘the man of big moments’

Kenyan rooted, Divock Origi and his late heroics have been one of the many themes of Liverpool’s Premier League and the UEFA campaigns this year coming into putting a smile to the fans when needed most, but he has been celebrated the least in the club.

The Belgian has scored three goals in his recent UEFA appearances even after coming in as a substitute, he struck twice against Barcelona which was a great comeback of the season after a 3-0 loss to the giants in the first leg.

He was also on target in the finals of the highly coveted trophy that any European teams want to get hold of, scoring in the 87th minute to drive the last nail in Tottenham’s casket and win the trophy a sixth time.

The 24-year-old Belgian only furthered his status as a cult hero this season in the Premier League and neither can his contribution in the Champion League can be wished away especially his stunning performance against Barcelona in the Champions League that led to their qualification to the finals.

It’s a sight that supporters have become used to seeing over the course of the League, and many are calling for Origi to be rewarded with a contract extension and perhaps even a place in the starting XI as a result of his timely and important strikes when the team most need him.

Just when everybody started to think Origi’s Anfield future was in tatter, he pops up and delivers in the biggest of moments. Many considered him surplus to requirement at the beginning of the season, but Divock has proven otherwise practically every time he’s stepped on the pitch in a redshirt this season.

The Belgian has now directly won the Reds six points via late goals and no one can forget his infamous header at Anfield to devastate the blue half of Merseyside at Anfield this past winter.

Another affable trait of the Liverpool Belgian striker that perhaps doesn’t quite get the plaudits that Origi deserves is his consistent professional attitude despite his lack of first team minutes.

While everyone knows very well that Divock wants to play every week, he’s displayed nothing but class off the pitch the 24-year-old consistently praises his teammates and portrays a team-first attitude in all of his interviews.

Divock Origi, who still is continuing to improve as a player, has all the mental traits that make him exactly what Jurgen Klopp wants in an impact sub a man who is always ready when called upon and one who clearly prioritises the collective team rather than his personal merits.

The Belgian, however, hasn’t gotten to where he is all by being modest and putting the team ahead of his own ego. His injection of pace a directness off the bench is a breath of fresh air compared to recent seasons where the Reds have clearly lacked a similar option when looking for an impact sub.

There’s always going to be a drop in quality when one of Mané, Firmino, Salah aren’t in the starting XI, but Divock does well to make himself a viable replacement should whenever he gets the nod.

Divock Origi is certainly worthy of a place up top, especially when his only competition right now seemingly is a 29-year-old Daniel Sturridge, who is often ravaged with injuries that have robbed him of his pace, flair and mobility in the attacking third.

On the other hand, it’s also a fair and valid argument to say that the Belgian does his best work off the bench to impact matches he always seems fresher and a step quicker than everyone else when he’s able to come on in the second half against a tired opposition.

The 24-year-old Belgian international has stepped up when the Reds needed him most this season it’s a massive credit to Divock Origi that he’s done all he can to play himself into contention this late in a season where the Reds are fighting for their sixth UEFA Cup trophy.

He has stood up to be counted and possesses enough quality to deserve his place in the team. His pace and directness edge it when looking at the other strike options on the bench. He offers a dynamism on and off the ball that Liverpool lacks whenever Sturridge is selected instead.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *