Funes Mori Apologises for Horror Tackle as Origi Undergoes Ankle Scan

Liverpool’s 4-0 hammering of Everton was a nearly flawless victory. The one bad moment for the rampant Reds was watching Everton’s Funes Mori lose his cool and stamp down on Divock Origi’s ankle early in the second half. It was a horror tackle, one that saw Origi stretchered off the pitch.

Funes Mori seemed pleased with himself following the red card tackle, beating at the Everton badge on his chest as if to tell Blues supporters he’d hurt a Liverpool player for them. Whether he’s calmed down and seen the error of his ways or been told to act contrite, today saw him walking things back.

"I very much regret what happened yesterday," said the Everton defender. "It was never my intention to harm a rival nor my colleagues [by] leaving the field. Regarding Divock Origi, I fervently hope it’s nothing serious and know that my intention was never to hurt. I ask for forgiveness for what happened."

As for Origi, the Liverpool striker was admitted to Spire Liverpool Hospital today for scans, though whether there is any ligament damage to his ankle—or if there is, how bad it is—won’t be known until tomorrow at the earliest. Origi has already been ruled out of contention to face Newcastle on Saturday.

It seems unlikely, too, that he would be available to face Villarreal in the first leg of Liverpool’s Europa League semi-final on Thursday, though if the damage turns out not to be too severe, Origi could be in contention again by the time the Reds welcome the La Liga side to Anfield for the return leg.

After taking the autumn to settle at his new club, the 21-year-old has been in fine form in the new year. All told, Origi has 10 goals and three assists in 33 total appearances for the Reds so this year. With many of his appearances coming off the bench, his tally equates to a goal or assist every 128 minutes.