Origi: 'Special' Sunderland celebrations showed our togetherness
The sight of Divock Origi sliding on his knees before being mobbed by his teammates in front of a delirious Kop is surely one of the defining images of Liverpool’s season so far.
The Reds were within 15 minutes of being frustrated by a dogged Sunderland side at Anfield last Saturday, before Origi intervened to set the hosts on their way to a hard-earned 2-0 win.
The Belgian striker had been introduced as a first-half substitute in place of the injured Philippe Coutinho and picked the perfect time to net his first Premier League goal of the season.
Anfield erupted as the ball nestled in the bottom corner having arced its way past the despairing dive of Jordan Pickford - and Origi feels the celebrations both on and off the pitch proved the togetherness felt by everyone connected with the club.
“I can’t describe the moment!” the 21-year-old told Premier League Productions.
“First of all, when you come on the pitch you feel that everybody wants to win and you also want to win the game. We needed this goal and I was the one who scored it and helped the team, so I was so happy.
“We all celebrated together and I could see the emotion on the supporters’ faces. These are moments that are very special and it shows how strong a group we have.”
LFCTV GO: Watch Divock break the deadlock
Origi followed that moment of inspiration up with another crucial Kop-end strike three days later, opening the scoring in the 2-0 EFL Cup victory over Leeds United.
And after a first third of the season that has seen Liverpool lose just once in 17 games in all competitions, the former Lille forward is relishing the air of positivity around the club.
“It’s very exciting to be part of this big project. I think everybody can feel the excitement in the club and around the club and we have to use this to work hard and try to be successful,” the No.27 added.
“I think we have a very wonderful club with very good players, very good supporters, great staff, so everything is there to be successful.”
Liverpool visit Bournemouth in the Premier League tomorrow afternoon, and Origi is anticipating a tough test at the Vitality Stadium.
“It’s a football-playing team - very brave, even against the bigger teams they are not afraid to play football,” he continued.
“They have quality players and also my ex-teammate and friend Jordon Ibe is there so they have a good team. We’ll have to be at our best to beat them, but it’s certainly possible.”