I know what to do if Origi gets annoyed, says Klopp

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Jurgen Klopp has given a lengthy interview on Divock Origi, Liverpool’s talented Belgian striker who currently can’t get into the side…

When our manager arrived a year back, Origi actually started Klopp’s first game due to the club’s injury crisis, but only forged his way into his plans properly towards the end of the campaign – putting in noticeably superb performances against Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League.

Origi finished the season with ten goals and many expected him to have a bigger role to play early on in 2016/17.

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However, with nine Premier League games gone, Origi has yet to start one and has been restricted to EFL Cup football in the main.

Klopp is not concerned and says that time on the bench is simply part of the game, but does recognised he may need to have a conversation with the 21-year-old if it continues.

“For Divock, it’s quite simple,” Klopp told the official website. “Last October when I came here, he was far away from the first team.

“Around January/February time, he showed all of us what kind of a striker he is. After his injury he needed a bit of time, no rhythm. That’s how it is for a young striker sometimes.

“Now it’s October again and he’s in a completely different shape. I told him before the [Tottenham] game and you could see it in the game before he cramped up. He’s in a good way.

“He’s still a young boy but he needs to learn. That’s his situation but everything is good. We’re really happy that he’s here and that he’s back and in shape.

He continued: “At a smaller club you play all the time. At a bigger club you need to use game time.

“That’s how it is. You sign an agreement. This is a big club. We want to be a big team. For this you need to take what you get and make the best of it. That’s how it works, not only for Divock but for all the players.

“I’d say I am close to Divock. We have good talks. Will he get impatient? Maybe. What can I do? It can happen and I have to deal with it.

“That’s why they have this thing between their nose and their chin – we can really talk about it. Life as a football player isn’t always pure sunshine.

“There is a lot of work to do and sometimes you have to wait a bit longer. When you look back on your career at 35, you want to have been the best player you could have been. For this, you need to use each session and Divock is in a good way.”

Origi is a monstrous talent, but Klopp’s decision to play Roberto Firmino centrally with Coutinho and Sadio Mane either side is obviously justified by our current league position.

However, it’s unlikely that the current starting trio will stay fit for the entire campaign, so when Origi’s chance does come, he’ll have to take it with both hands.

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