Simon Mignolet has gone on record to brand his fellow countryman Divock Origi as “fearless”.
He claimed he wasn’t surprised by the striker’s impressive performance in the Europa League quarter final, and he firmly believed he would go on to be a massive player for the club.
“I knew Divock could perform like that because we see it in training every day. I know what he can do,” Mignolet said (via Echo).
“He had some time to adapt to the demands of English football. A few injuries stopped him but he has got everything you need to make it as a striker in the Premier League and in Europe.”
Klopp raised a few eyebrows when he picked Origi ahead of England forward Daniel Sturridge for the game, but his gamble paid off in a big way. “Divock was made for this game with the space he can make, with his speed on the ball, he can hold and keep with his body, it was really good,” he said after the game (via Echo).
It a sentiment that Mignolet echoed in his own comments:
“He’s strong, he keeps the ball, he’s so quick, he can score a goal, and he works his socks off!” he continued.
“That work-rate is the most important thing for us, especially when you play away from home against a team like Dortmund with someone like (Mats) Hummels who is their playmaker.
“Divock worked so hard for us to win the ball back. That made a big difference for us and it was nice to see.
“You could see he wasn’t fazed by the occasion. That’s probably down to his age. There was no fear and that’s a good thing.
“He’s a good character and hopefully he can keep doing the things he’s doing. If he does then he will have a great future ahead of him.”
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What would you do in the second leg? Start Divock again or restore Daniel to the line-up? What about the game against Stoke on Sunday? Let us know in the comments.