We love Mohamed Salah, and we love Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk too. These are the staples of Liverpool’s rip-roaring successes over the previous 9 years or so.
Andrew Robertson? Integral at left-back throughout the length of Jurgen Klopp‘s reign. Alisson Becker is among the best goalkeepers of his era and Sadio Mane and Bobby Firmino joined Salah for a lot of exceptional years, tying collectively in an attacking triptych for the ages, wreaking havoc and lifting trophies.
However what about these of a extra clutch nature? Liverpool have customary some actual superstars throughout the previous decade, however these of much less sweeping legacies nonetheless triumphed in taking part in a basic position too.
Liverpool’s most clutch gamers
Final season, whereas he actually had his negatives, Darwin Nunez proved to be Liverpool’s go-to man for arising trumps, notching five match-winning strikes within the Premier League.
Nunez wants to search out and maintain his medical edge however nobody can deny that the person’s a maverick, a born entertainer. Particular shoutout to Wataru Endo too, for the Japan midfielder introduced his tough-tackling type to English soccer and infrequently helped Liverpool over the road within the later levels – notably towards Chelsea within the Carabao Cup ultimate.
There have been many additional cult heroes to grace the Anfield partitions throughout this illustrious epoch in Liverpool’s historical past; Xherdan Shaqiri is one other.
None, nonetheless, carry the aura nor the influence of Divock Origi, who’s thought to be one in all Klopp’s most memorable members.
The Belgian’s arrival predated Klopp’s. He completed a £10m transfer from LOSC Lille in July 2014 earlier than returning to the French membership on mortgage for the 2014/15 season, scoring nine goals in all competitions.
He left a hero. A deep-diving breakdown into Origi’s Anfield profession would yield middling findings. He scored 41 goals across 175 matches in whole, with simply 22 Premier League objectives struck throughout seven seasons. Hardly the stuff of legends.
However a legend he’s. Klopp mentioned so. Origi’s unmatched high quality in popping up on the most important second to attain an all-important aim for Liverpool is one thing that can’t be taught. He merely has it.
His two-goal haul within the Reds’ historic turnaround victory over Barcelona is sufficient to erect a statue, however then the 29-year-old went on to seal the deal towards Tottenham Hotspur within the ultimate, sparking pandemonium among the many Liverpool fanbase.
Everton should have despised Origi, for he appeared to invariably emerge in the fitting place and ship Liverpool’s rivals in a spin.
Arne Slot had inherited a group of high-class high quality, evidenced by means of Liverpool’s staggering begin to the marketing campaign, – the Reds are commandingly atop the Premier League and Champions League tables – however he’d absolutely take Origi into his brood, merely for the distinctive, medical dimension that he presents.
It won’t seem to be it, however Slot may very well boast his personal model of the Belgium worldwide, and his identify’s Caoimhin Kelleher.
Caoimhin Kelleher is the brand new Divock Origi
It is exceptional that Liverpool have had Alisson sidelined for as a lot as they’ve throughout the previous yr or two and followers have scarcely felt his absence, for Kelleher has been such a titan between the sticks.
Final season, Klopp claimed that the Irish shot-stopper is “the best number two in the world” however to be trustworthy, he is most likely one of many world’s best, along with his performances proving to be so awe-inspiring for the Redmen.
He is solely made 57 appearances for Liverpool since rising from the youth ranks, however Kelleher has actually produced outcomes price bragging about when unleashed, instrumental in lifting two Carabao Cup titles and the FA Cup too.
Alisson has certainly been absent for a lot of Slot’s reign up to now however Kelleher has stepped up after which some, saving Kylian Mbappe’s penalty as Liverpool defeated Actual Madrid within the Champions League group part.
You can say that his exceptional success in popping up when his outfit want him is paying homage to Origi, who was by no means actually the primary up entrance on Merseyside however nonetheless performed his half triumphantly.
Journalist DaveOCKOP noticed it from means again, stating in December 2021: “Kelleher has a little bit of Origi about him. When he seems it is magic.”
The indicators had been there from the offing, and now Liverpool are reaping the fruits of Kelleher’s improvement. There should be some a part of FSG that bemoan the choice to splash £29m on Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer season, with the Georgian goalkeeper snapped up prudently as Alisson’s long-term successor.
Liverpool’s web is certain to be in secure fingers with the 23-year-old Mamardashvili, who’s again on mortgage with Valencia in the course of the present marketing campaign, however Kelleher may really be working on the superior degree proper now.
Market Movers
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In any case, Liverpool have triumphed with the Republic of Eire worldwide, who has really signed from Ringmahon Rangers in his homeland as a 17-year-old for a £30k figure and has since paid again that outlay for positive.
In truth, on condition that Chelsea are displaying interest within the monstrous participant and have floated figures reaching £35m, Liverpool are going to hit the veritable jackpot when he’s bought. When assessing the 2 sums, Kelleher’s hike in market worth could be extrapolated to a 116567% rise – which is absurd.
Origi is perhaps an Anfield star no extra, however his spirit actually lives on. Kelleher is proving to be one in all Liverpool’s most clutch sensations of recent occasions, and if the lofty objectives are achieved below Slot’s administration this yr, he too will cement cult standing at this high-flying soccer membership.
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