'We expected it to be physical' - Origi on Old Trafford draw
Liverpool knew they would need to match the physicality of Manchester United if they were to take anything from Sunday's trip to Old Trafford, according to Divock Origi.
The Reds returned to Merseyside with a point following a typically hard-fought clash with their arch-rivals, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late header earning a 1-1 draw for United after James Milner had broken the deadlock from the penalty spot midway through the first half.
Origi, who started the game and worked tirelessly before being replaced by Philippe Coutinho after an hour, admitted that the timing of Ibrahimovic's equaliser was tough to take.
But the Belgian striker believes Jürgen Klopp's side stood up well to the demands of an intense encounter.
“I think it's a little bit of a disappointment because we obviously wanted to win,” Origi told Liverpoolfc.com.
“In some parts of the game we were very strong and in some parts we had to be more positive and play more up.
“Overall, it was an intense game and of course we wanted to win, so I think we have to analyse the game after to see what was good and what was bad.
“We knew they would be physical, so I think the thing was to match the physicality and also combine our game. [The game plan was to] play football and use our qualities, deep balls combining with playing football in the middle.”
LFCTV GO: Watch Divock discuss United draw
The draw meant Liverpool ended the weekend in third place in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Chelsea but level with second-placed Tottenham Hotspur and still five clear of United in sixth.
“Of course we are still in the early stage of the season, but it's important to get the maximum points and to stay ahead of other teams,” Origi replied, when asked about the importance of maintaining that gap to Jose Mourinho's team.
“I think it's very tight above but you just have to look at it game by game, there's still a lot of big games, important games, so we have to stay together and finish well.”