-Forget Benteke, Origi is the real deal
Two goals here against Stoke made it three in the week, not forgetting that potentially crucial away-goal he notched at Dortmund. Pace, skill and a natural instinct for goal – Divock Origi has it all packed into him and at only 20 years of age, he will only be getting better and better under the guidance of Klopp. When Liverpool first announced the capture of Origi in 2014 before loaning him back to Lille immediately, his signing was greeted with much excitement as he was seen as one of the emerging hot prospects in Europe. But his subsequent form on loan at Lille was questionable and when he made return to the club at the start of the season he was thrust into an increasingly toxic atmosphere at Anfield where ex-Kop boss Brendan Rodgers was nearing the end of his tenure and Origi could hardly make the desired impact as the Reds struggled for results then. Roll forward a couple of months coupled with a new manager through the door in the form of Jurgen Klopp, Origi has gone from prospective youngster to being a key man in Klopp’s first team plans and as long as he keeps up this sort of form there is little reason to doubt that the 20 year-old will one day fulfil his full potential.
The match day cameras did shift to show Christian Benteke at one point during the game, as the big Belgian was forced to sit out the match in the stands due to injury. But at this rate with Daniel Sturridge and his fellow compatriot Divock Origi firing away while he sits out with injury, it is increasingly hard to see a way back into the team for the big Belgian.
-Reds still shaky at set-pieces
Conceding from set-pieces has been a recurring problem for the Reds all season and Sunday’s win over Stoke did little to dispel the notion that Liverpool are most vulnerable when it comes to set-pieces from the opposition. Stoke looked most dangerous whenever they had the chance to deliver free kicks from outside the area into the Liverpool box, and it was in that fashion that Bojan somehow managed to float past the entire Liverpool defence unmarked to equalize for Stoke in the first half. Liverpool are beginning to show that they have real bite upfront with Sturridge fit and Origi in form, but if the Reds are to regain a top four spot they will have to find a way at dealing with set-pieces.
-Liverpool has to get Joe Allen to stay
He’s been dubbed Liverpool’s ‘Welsh Xavi’ or rather ‘Welsh Pirlo’, if we factor in his current hairstyle, as more of a joke rather than an actual projection of his contribution to the team since he was signed from Swansea by his former boss. But this comparison is increasingly less of a joke with Allen turning in superb performances under Klopp, being the Reds’ driving force in midfield. Pitted against Stoke, the Welshman emerged above his peers in midfield, having an 87% pass accuracy, winning nine duels and making six tackles. On top of that, Allen was equally engaged in the attacking side of the game, driving the ball forward from midfield and making incisive passes to the front men. That said, based on his performances under Klopp, it seems a no brainer that the ‘Welsh Pirlo’ has to be retained at the club despite the rumors fueling his exit in the summer due to a lack of game time.