Klopp Handed Origi Fitness Boost

Liverpool have spent too much of this season with too many players sidelined in the physio room. Injuries disrupted a significant portion of the season, but -- perhaps predictably -- Jürgen Klopp has been receiving good news o late regarding his missing players. First it was captain Jordan Henderson's possible availability for the Europa League final in Basel one week from today, and now Klopp has been handed another fitness boost in the form of striker Divock Origi.

"Divock is training, but not with the team yet," Klopp confirmed. "He's running and passing. We have to take it day by day. We don't have to make a decision. He is recovering quicker than we thought. The same as Emre (Can). All the coaches and therapists have done a really good job.

"We cannot force it. We take what we get. In this moment he's in a better way than we expected the day after the injury. If there's enough time before next Wednesday, I don't know yet."

That Origi is even in a possible conversation for next Wedesday's match is remarkable, though optimistic Liverpool fans may not yet want to get their hopes up given the uncertainty in Klopp's update. Even if Origi went through the patent-pending Emre Can Guide to Training for Three Weeks Straight™, that's no guarantee the player will be ready for the final or even that Klopp would want to play him from the bench let alone start him if he were ready.

At best, Origi's accelerated timeline gives Klopp some additional options to think about as a means for making a tactical change in the final should he need one. At worst, Klopp is in the same position he likely he'd assumed he'd be in for the final. Given Liverpool's recent form, neither of those are a bad position to be in, and so an Origi health boost could prove to be an extra bit of insurance in Klopp's back pocket.