Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hailed 'new signing' Divock Origi ahead of what looks to be a big few weeks for the Belgian.
Origi completed a remarkable Liverpool renaissance at the end of last season, capping his comeback from the Reds wilderness with two goals in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona , and then the clinching strike in the 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
A year ago Origi's Anfield career looked to be over after he endured a disappointing loan spell at Wolfsburg, but after more goals this pre-season he seems certain to begin the season in the European champions' team as other forwards return from summer international action.
“Divock made the decisive step in the last couple of weeks of last season, and he deserved it,” Klopp told the Liverpool Echo .
“Not only because he trained, it's like (the problems he had) fell off him.
“Since he got that injury (against Everton in April 2016), it was just glimpses here and there. But then we were training and you saw it – Divock's back. It is the Divock Origi the whole world wanted.”
The injury Origi sustained when he was on the receiving end of a crude tackle from Everton's Ramiro Funes Mori halted his progress back then, but he'll be a key man heading into 2019/20.
Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah will return to training on Monday, but Sadio Mane is set for more time off after his exertions at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“If you could have asked at that moment the clubs around after the Dortmund away game (in April 2016, when Origi scored) 'Divock Origi, do you want him?' there would have been lots of clubs," continued Klopp.
“That's the situation now. Now we have to help him. He looks completely fine, has signed his new contract, conscious decision, all good. A new signing!”
