Jürgen Klopp Updates Divock Origi Injury Status

Divock Origi has scored seven goals in 765 minutes of action this season, a rate of once every 109 minutes he’s on the pitch. It would be a noteworthy return for almost any striker, and it’s made all the more so for his age and the fact that he spent most of the first four months of the season on the bench.

Over his last five games—four in the league and one in the EFL Cup—Origi has scored five goals and played all but 34 minutes. Perhaps the only potential downside is that, for a player who started the season on the bench, so many minutes in short order means a potential for injury.

“I don’t think so,” was manager Jürgen Klopp’s response when asked if a late strain that forced Origi to come off in stoppage time against Middlesbrough might keep the striker out against Everton in Liverpool’s next league game. “A little knock, a little pain, but no, I don’t think so.”

Given not just Origi’s recent scoring form but also Liverpool’s injury situation, that’s very good news. With Philippe Coutinho out, Liverpool no longer have the attacking midfield depth to use Roberto Firmino as an out and out striker. That injury has meant Origi gets his chance, but it limits Klopp’s options.

Meanwhile, with Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings out, it leaves Origi the only recognised senior striker. With Emre Can expected to return for Monday’s game, Klopp might be able to shift Adam Lallana or Gini Wijnaldum forward to allow Firmino to lead the line again, but the options are limited.

That means that if Origi can stay fit, he’ll get plenty of chances to add to his tally over the next few weeks. And it means Liverpool fans and the manager will be nervously holding their breath any time he pulls up as was the case last night in stoppage time against Middlesbrough.