Divock Origi will not return to Anfield. But judging by his influence at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp’s replacement appears to be in place. The term “cult hero” was coined for someone like Divock Origi.
He rarely plays for Liverpool but should certainly be a step below the pantheon of truly great players, but even the likes of Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish struggle to produce moments of greatness. Having spent a season on loan before the arrival of Jurgen Klopp, he is set to make another temporary move in 2017 and the writing appears to be on the wall for his future at Liverpool.
But he found a special place in the team. Origi is not the first player to find a niche as a super serve and combination player, but others have done so with that distinction. Always ready whenever called upon, he completed Klopp’s Champions League final, but only after playing a key role in leading the team there.
Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has confirmed that Origi will not be available in time for the match against Liverpool. I hope he will at least be part of the tour group because he will get a warm welcome. But whether he is or not, the possibility of his return raises questions about whether Liverpool have really moved for Origi.
Klopp, a master of changing games from the bench, would have loved to have someone like the Belgian by his side. And he left a void that will be hard to fill. But the evidence suggests that Klopp has found his new origins. A man who comes in with a cool head and produces results can turn the game around in an instant when the game is going bad.
This player is Darwin Nunes. He was not earmarked for the role when Liverpool approved a potential club-record transfer, but has often played as Klopp’s super substitute, most convincingly against Newcastle earlier this season.
His assist against Everton was impressive, but he still has a long way to go to match Origi’s level in the derby. More specifically, Nunes has shown an ability to play both inside and outside the lineup, posting an average points per hour rate so far this season.
