Divock Origi has vowed to build on his impressive performance for
Liverpool in their Europa League quarter-final first leg with Borussia Dortmund.
The young striker vindicated Jurgen Klopp’s decision to start him ahead of Daniel Sturridge as he opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw at the Westfalenstadion.
Origi, who caused Dortmund problems throughout, said he felt inspired to deliver by the support he received – both from his manager and the 3,400-strong travelling Kop who chanted his name vociferously.
“I could feel the support from the fans and it gave me a big boost,” Origi told the ECHO.
“It does make a difference to experience that. It was playing against a big team and as the striker I had a big responsibility.
“I felt the support of everybody from the coach to my team-mates and the fans. Everyone tried to help me as much as possible and it showed in my performance.”
Origi, who only discovered he was starting earlier in the day, carried out Klopp’s orders perfectly as he put in a tireless shift.
The 20-year-old hadn’t started in Europe since the group game in Sion back in December.
“I only knew I was playing when I saw the team,” he said.
“I was happy to play in such an important game, which is what you strive for as a footballer.
“We worked a lot tactically. The manager knows my qualities and told me just to use them.
“Everyone said I should play to my qualities, which is getting in behind the defenders and taking them on one-on-one and of course, importantly, scoring. I’ve very happy that I could do this.”
Origi’s sixth goal of the campaign arrived before the break when he latched on to James Milner’s flick on and kept his cool to finish clinically.
“I saw Millie going for a header and I read his game a little bit and went deep,” he said.
“When the ball came to me I could feel the defender was close and usually they open their legs so I tried to shoot it to the other side and it went in.”
After a tough start to life at Anfield, Origi has blossomed under the guidance of Klopp. He has kicked on since returning to action in February following a hamstring injury.
During his time on the sidelines he was put on a weights programme by Klopp and bulking up has given him the strength to go with his pace.
Through time spent on the training ground, the German coach has also given him the tactical intelligence to go with his raw natural ability.
“I’ve been in the gym and I do a lot of extra work,” Origi said.
“I learn from a lot of the players like Kolo Toure for example. I just try to pick up little things from everywhere.
“It also helps that we are really intensive in training and games, which makes me stronger.
“I have learned a lot, I’ve adapted a lot. I’m still young, only 20 and people sometimes forget that.
“I’m grateful to be at this big club, where people believe in me and everything is here for me to become a big player which is my aim.
“I’m happy that I’m making these steps and hopefully that continues.”The away goal, which was cancelled out by Mats Hummels’ header, puts Liverpool in a strong position in the tie.
However, Origi insists they will need to replicate that kind of performance at Anfield next Thursday.
“For me, there’s no favourites,” he said.
“We are a good team and they are a good team.
“We have to show on the pitch we are capable of doing good things and we have to finish it off at Anfield.
“We have to be confident and if we are at 100%, we will go through.
“I saw that Dortmund appreciate Jurgen Klopp a lot, which tells you about the person he is and also what he achieved here. It was special to see.”
