'Klopp, my teammates, the fans - everybody helped me'
Divock Origi paid homage to his teammates, the fans, and Jürgen Klopp for helping him play a decisive role in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund after being handed a start that he admits came as something of a late surprise.
The Belgian was selected to lead the line by Klopp at Signal Iduna Park on Thursday evening and repaid the German's faith by bagging an away goal with a cool finish past Roman Weidenfeller in the first half.
Origi says he had no doubts about what was expected of him after he was named in the XI by his manager prior to kick-off, but was keen to share out the praise for what eventually transpired.
"We were playing a big team and, as the striker, I had a big responsibility but I felt the support of everybody from the coach to my teammates and the fans.
"Everyone tried to help me as much as possible and it showed in my performance. I only knew [I was starting] when I saw the teamsheet, which was today.
"I was happy to play in such an important game, which is what you strive for as a footballer."
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The 20-year-old revealed that his goal was no fluke, either, with specific work on his runs in behind having been rewarded when James Milner nodded the ball into his path in the 37th minute.
"We worked a lot tactically and [Klopp] knows my qualities and told me just to use them," he added.
"Everyone said I should play to my qualities, which is getting in behind the defenders and taking them on one-on-one and of course, importantly, scoring. I’m very happy that I could do this.
"I saw Millie going for a header and I read his game a little bit and went deep and the ball came to me.
"I could feel the defender was close and usually they open their legs, so I tried to shoot it the other side and it went in."
Of course, the young striker isn't getting too far ahead of himself when it comes to the tie as a whole.
He knows there is plenty of work to be done at Anfield on April 14 if the Reds are to reach the semi-finals of this tournament at the expense of BVB.
"For me, there’s no favourites," he insisted.
"We are a good team and they are a good team. We have to show on the pitch we are capable of doing good things and we have to finish it off at Anfield.
"We have to be confident and if we are at 100 per cent, we will go through."