'You can see Divock is in completely different shape now'
Divock Origi is back in his best shape according to Jürgen Klopp, but the manager has explained why the Liverpool striker must continue to learn and be patient.
The Belgian, who has yet to start a Premier League game this season, put in a powerful performance as the Reds defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
All of Origi’s best attributes were on show, with his pace, strength and touch troubling Spurs throughout and only the reflexes of goalkeeper Michel Vorm denying him a goal.
His display was reminiscent of the form that saw the No.27 earn an extended run in the team in the final months of last season before suffering an injury against Everton in April.
But with such fierce competition for places in Klopp’s forward line, the boss wants Origi – still just 21 – to bide his time and consider how far he has already come in the past year.
“For Divock, it’s quite simple,” explained the German. “Last October when I came here, he was far away from the first team.
“Around January/February time, he showed all of us what kind of a striker he is. After his injury he needed a bit of time, no rhythm. That’s how it is for a young striker sometimes.
“Now it’s October again and he’s in a completely different shape. I told him before the [Tottenham] game and you could see it in the game before he cramped up. He’s in a good way.
“He’s still a young boy but he needs to learn. That’s his situation but everything is good. We’re really happy that he’s here and that he’s back and in shape.”
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With the Reds set to return to Premier League action by facing Crystal Palace this evening, Klopp outlined why Origi and other players in a similar situation have to take every chance they get.
He added: “At a smaller club you play all the time. At a bigger club you need to use game time.
“That’s how it is. You sign an agreement. This is a big club. We want to be a big team. For this you need to take what you get and make the best of it. That’s how it works, not only for Divock but for all the players.
“I’d say I am close to Divock. We have good talks. Will he get impatient? Maybe. What can I do? It can happen and I have to deal with it.
“That’s why they have this thing between their nose and their chin – we can really talk about it. Life as a football player isn’t always pure sunshine.
“There is a lot of work to do and sometimes you have to wait a bit longer. When you look back on your career at 35, you want to have been the best player you could have been. For this, you need to use each session and Divock is in a good way.”