---
title: "Origi is a Liverpool legend – but is he good enough for the Reds?"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/origi-is-a-liverpool-legend-but-is-he-good-enough-for-the-reds/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2019-08-07T14:30:46Z"
modified: "2019-08-07T14:30:46Z"
---

# Origi is a Liverpool legend – but is he good enough for the Reds?

Divock Origi has built a Liverpool career that will forever go down in legend, but the Belgian is not up the required standard moving forward.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a season to treasure in 2018/19, not only scoring the Champions League-clinching goal against Tottenham, but also registering in unforgettable wins over Everton, Tottenham and Barcelona.

From being almost a certainty to leave Liverpool a year ago, he has etched his name into Reds folklore.

**Read Liverpool Verdict**

Do those achievements instantly make Origi good enough, though?

What the striker did last season is something Liverpool supporters will cherish for the rest of their lives.

They will always thank him for being underneath the Kop crossbar waiting to head home against Everton; that late header at Newcastle will always feel big; the double at home to Barcelona was truly priceless.

A good team player who responded admirably to almost being on the Anfield scrapheap, it is impossible not to feel a level of warmth towards Origi.

When you actually dissect his performances and all-round ability, however, there are clear shortcomings.

Sunday’s Community Shield defeat to Manchester City perfectly showcased Origi’s weaknesses as a footballer, and why he is a significant step down from those around him.

He felt like a square peg in a round hole, utilised on the left-hand side in Sadio Mane’s absence.

The Belgium international blunted Liverpool’s attacking play and it was no coincidence that they improved after he was withdrawn in the second half.

When he plays out wide he doesn’t look a natural fit, but equally, his ability to lead the line centrally can often prove frustrating.

Whereas Roberto Firmino holds the ball up, brings teammates into play and displays world class levels of intelligence, Origi struggles to achieve any of those things.

He’s not a bad player, by all means – his ability to come up with big goals is a skill, not a fluke – but he doesn’t feel suited to Jurgen Klopp’s style of play.

That makes it all the more confusing that Origi goes into the new season as Firmino’s deputy, as well as Liverpool’s next-best option on the left wing, should Mane be unavailable.

To be relying on him to come up with key moments here and there is one thing, but trusting him to be a key performer throughout the season, impressing in all facets of his game, is another challenge altogether.

At 24, Origi does still have time to mature, but if anything, his game actually feels less polished than it did before an ankle injury suffered against Everton three years ago.

If he produces less big moments but more cohesive, effective performances in 2019/20, that would be more beneficial to Liverpool.