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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

The major Liverpool transfer decision facing Champions League hero

Terry McDermott. Tommy Smith. Phil Neal. Kenny Dalglish. Alan Kennedy.

Steven Gerrard. Vladimir Smicer. Xabi Alonso.

Dirk Kuyt. Sadio Mane. Mohamed Salah.

Each, in one way or another, has etched themselves into Liverpool folklore. Some are legends, others fan favourites, one or two cult heroes.

And all have scored for the Reds in the European Cup final.

None, though, have been as unexpected or welcomed in quite the same manner as that of Divock Origi, the latest entrant on Liverpool's roll of honour.

Origi came off the bench to strike an angled drive into the bottom corner with three minutes remaining to settle an almost unbearably tense Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid on Saturday.

It wasn't the easiest of goals. Moving a pass by Joel Matip from right foot to left, the Belgian swiftly unleashed a venomous shot beyond Hugo Lloris from a position one website estimated had only a 4% probability of being successful.

But Origi has often defied the odds this season, opting to stay after rejecting a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer following an indifferent year on loan at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

Memorably, he came out of the cold to notch a famous winner against Everton in December.

Then, towards the end of the campaign, came his dramatic late clincher at Newcastle United before, three days later, those two goals against Barcelona that helped Liverpool secure their place at the Estadio Metropolitano.

Divock Origi of Liverpool scores his team's fourth goal during the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona at Anfield (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Origi had only three shots on target during this Champions League campaign. They all resulted in goals.

Small wonder his status as the most unlikely of Kop heroes in a campaign when Jurgen Klopp's side have boasted so many.

Indeed, Origi started only seven games and didn't even make a matchday squad until late October.

But he was one of only six Liverpool players – Alisson Becker, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Sadio Mane the others – to have featured in every game of the Champions League knockout stages.

Origi's story of recovery and redemption is one replicated throughout Liverpool's squad, yet another player benefiting from the belief and backing of Klopp.

What happens next, though, will be interesting.

Origi is entering the final 12 months of his contract and is clearly behind Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in the attacking pecking order.

His stock and profile will rarely have been higher, and Liverpool can expect offers for the player this summer.

However, the Reds are under no obligation to sell, and demonstrated with Emre Can they are willing to let a player leave for free if they believe his service to the club in the final year of his deal is more valuable.

Origi, however, may decide to pursue a move elsewhere and leave on the ultimate high. Few would begrudge him the opportunity.

No matter what happens, the striker's place in Anfield history is assured.

Divock Origi of Liverpool kisses the Champions League trophy (Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

“It's hard to describe in words,” said Origi. “It's something special. The Champions League is unbelievable.”

Liverpool supporters, though, know the words all right.

Saturday night, and they like the way he moves... Divock Origi. The ultimate cult hero.

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