Divock Origi’s new contract was always going to be signed after his incredible goals last season, not least in the Champions League final against Tottenham in Madrid, but it was a lot longer than that in the making.
Those vital strikes from Origi en route to number six were the culmination of a long period of hard work and determination. Prior to the last-gasp, 90+6′ goal against Everton at Anfield after Jordan Pickford’s howler, many Reds fans would have found it hard to envisage the Belgian playing for the club again.
But while Origi struggled for confidence having been out with a serious injury just as he was finding his feet with the Reds in 2016, scoring just six Bundesliga goals when on loan at Wolfsburg, one man always knew he would get back to his peak level.
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Michael Edwards, more renowned for working his magic in the transfer market, had a big role to play in his resurgence, according to the Liverpool ECHO.
Edwards got to know Origi’s family and was one of the striker’s ‘biggest advocates’ even when he was performing well below-par, sticking by the Belgian when most others would not.
That patience was well and truly rewarded last season: without it, that comeback against Barcelona in the semi-final might not have been possible. We all knew that Edwards’ signings were a crucial part of the Champions League victory, but for this, he deserves additional credit.