Divock Origi came up with another late goal to rescue Liverpool’s title challenge on Saturday night, but it earned him absolutely no praise from Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness.
Origi, 24, was brought on by Klopp after Mohamed Salah was injured in the 73rd minute of the game against Newcastle.
And it’s not the first time he’s scored a vital goal for Liverpool this season. he came on and scored a dramatic late winner in the Merseyside derby too.
But, talking on the Sky Sports coverage of the game (Sky Sports, Saturday, 7pm), Souness took no prisoners in his assessment of Origi after the game.
“Okay, he got the goal against Everton and he scored tonight,” Souness said, “but I’ve never seen him have a good game for Liverpool.
“They got away with it tonight and that’s all you can say about the game.”
OPINION
Pretty harsh stuff from Souness, to be fair. Origi doesn’t get a lot of chances to show what he can do for Liverpool, and if he does nothing else this season he’s won his side four points with vital late goals. If Liverpool go on and win the title you can point to a lot of defining factors but Origi will have played his part. Has he looked impressive for Liverpool? Possibly not, but would Klopp rather he look impressive or come up with the two goals that help deliver the title? Origi did in 17 minutes what Daniel Sturridge couldn’t do in 90 and he deserves at least some praise for that. As for saying Liverpool got away with it tonight, there’s an element of truth in that. But they’re om an incredible run at the moment and every team needs a bit of luck. Man City won 1-0 last week with a goal that went a few centimetres over the line. We think Souness was just after some headlines last night.