Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has explained the 5 reasons why his Belgian compatriot Divock Origi has hit such a rich vein of form. Talking to the Liverpool Echo, the 28 year old keeper said:
“I knew Divock could perform like that because we see it in training every day. I know what he can do. He had some time to adapt to the demands of English football. A few injuries stopped him but he has got everything you need to make it as a striker in the Premier League and in Europe. He’s strong, he keeps the ball, he’s so quick, he can score a goal, and he works his socks off.”
In the first leg of the Europa League tie against Dortmund, Mignolet believes that Origi was integral in the Reds bringing a 1-1 draw back to Anfield
“That work-rate is the most important thing for us, especially when you play away from home against a team like Dortmund with someone like (Mats) Hummels who is their playmaker. Divock worked so hard for us to win the ball back. That made a big difference for us and it was nice to see. You could see he wasn’t fazed by the occasion. That’s probably down to his age. There was no fear and that’s a good thing.He’s a good character and hopefully he can keep doing the things he’s doing. If he does then he will have a great future ahead of him.”
Origi’s new found fitness and confidence has caused a dilemma for Jurgen Klopp ahead of the second leg. He scored two goals after coming on a second half substitute against Stoke yesterday in a 4-1 win, and with fellow striker Daniel Sturridge also scoring, the Reds manager will have to decide which one to start an Anfield on Thursday or find a way to incorporate both into the starting line up.
