Liverpool striker Divock Origi confident he will make most of first-team chance after Jurgen Klopp is hit with striker injury crisis 

  • Divock Origi led the line for Liverpool in their 0-0 draw with Tottenham
  • The young striker hit the crossbar in Jurgen Klopp's first game in charge
  • Origi, 20, is confident 'the goals will come' despite slow start to career 
  • Liverpool were without the inured Christian Benteke Daniel Sturridge
  • Danny Ings has been ruled out for the season with a cruciate knee injury 

By Pa Reporter

Published: 06:27 EST, 18 October 2015 | Updated: 09:53 EST, 18 October 2015

Divock Origi has backed himself to produce the goods for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp faces a striker injury crisis at Anfield.

Klopp took charge of his first game as Liverpool manager in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Tottenham - handing Origi his first Premier League start in the process.

Although the former Borussia Dortmund boss is a big fan of Origi, he had little option other than to name the inexperienced 20-year-old in his starting line-up.

With Danny Ings ruled out for the season with a cruciate knee injury, Klopp was also without injured Christian Benteke at White Hart Lane while Daniel Sturridge was not risked after a minor knee problem suffered in training.

Liverpool striker Divock Origi (left) has backed himself to produce the goods for the Premier League side

Liverpool striker Divock Origi (left) has backed himself to produce the goods for the Premier League side

Origi, who was making his first Premier League start for the club, led the line for Liverpool against Tottenham

Origi, who was making his first Premier League start for the club, led the line for Liverpool against Tottenham

But Origi, who spent last season on loan at Lille having been signed by Brendan Rodgers from the Ligue 1 outfit last summer, looked sharp in the goalless encounter and came closest to winning the game as he hit the frame of the goal from an early corner.

Klopp revealed after the match that he had been interested in taking the forward to Dortmund before Liverpool signed him and Origi is determined he can now show everyone why his manager holds him in such high regard.

'I work very hard and I tried to work hard for the team in this game,' he told Liverpool's official website. 'It's a new system and I was very excited, just a bit unlucky with the finishing but I'm sure it will come.

'Everybody has encouraging words for me so I just have to continue like this and it will be okay. I feel sorry for the boys that are out but I will just try to support the team and do my best. Everybody says that I have the qualities, I just have to work hard and the goals will come.'

Origi has been impressed with Klopp's approach since he replaced Rodgers at the helm following a rocky start to the campaign and believes the team will only improve once they adapt to a fresh approach.

'He just wants to play with passion and no fear,' the striker said of Klopp. 'He believes in everybody - the young players, the old players, we're all here because we have quality. 

Origi has been impressed with Jurgen Klopp's approach since he replaced Brendan Rodgers at the helm 

Origi has been impressed with Jurgen Klopp's approach since he replaced Brendan Rodgers at the helm 

'We just have to work hard and trust him and we all trust him, so I think we can have a good season. When you look at the coach, he sends out a very strong feeling, a very powerful feeling. You can see it through the team.

'Against Tottenham we had a lot of energy, we pressed, we played with a lot of joy. We are a very strong together as a club with the fans also, it's a very nice thing.'

Origi may have hit the crossbar in the early stages but Tottenham then had the better chances to win the game with Clinton Njie, Harry Kane and Dele Alli all coming close.

Spurs remain unbeaten in the league since the opening weekend defeat by Manchester United and have now kept three clean sheets in their five home games.

The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Lille last summer, looked sharp in the goalless encounter

The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Lille last summer, looked sharp in the goalless encounter

Origi vies for the ball with Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen (left) during the 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane

Origi vies for the ball with Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen (left) during the 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane

Defender Jan Vertonghen was full of praise for fellow Belgian international Mousa Dembele who came into the side to replace the suspended Eric Dier and put in a man-of-the-match performance in the holding midfield role.

'I spoke to him this week,' he said.

'Obviously we have got some injuries and suspensions, he was ready to play and I think he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and I think everyone agrees on that, he is a nightmare to play against and a joy to play with him.

'I gave him some bad balls and wanted to say sorry but then he quickly turns and throws some of the midfielders in the stands, he is an unbelievable player and I hope he can stay fit, I hope he is back now for the rest of the season.'

Vertonghen was full of praise for fellow Belgian international Mousa Dembele following his performance 

Vertonghen was full of praise for fellow Belgian international Mousa Dembele following his performance 

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