‘ORIGI ALREADY A REDS LEGEND’

BY RICHARD EDWARDS DAVID FAIRCLOUGH is a man who knows what it is like to have to bide your time at Anfield.

He is also well aware that you can attain hero status without playing every game.

So it is little surprise Liverpool’s original ‘supersub’ is keen to hail the impact Divock Origi (above) has had on Jurgen Klopp’s side of late.

Reds legend Fairclough – who scored 34 league goals for the club between 1975 and 1983 – said: “Sometimes you could question his drive, but he has stuck at it.

“He’s never going to be a permanent fixture, but the goals he has scored, hats off to him. He has scored goals at crucial times and he’s probably already achieved legendary status.

“Origi is well on his way to being a cult hero at the club – he has got a couple of songs already.

“That’s a fantastic tribute. As long as they sing Liverpool songs about him, then he won’t be going anywhere!

“He’s a player who makes an impact and scores goals that people remember.

“Liverpool’s history is a massive one, a huge one.

“So, to be loved by the Liverpool fans is something very special.”

The 26-year-old has scored 40 goals for Liverpool since arriving at the club from Lille for £10million back in 2014. It is a similar record to Fairclough, who still enjoys hero status among Liverpool fans.

He eventually left to play for Luzern in Switzerland in 1983, despite constant interest from suitors throughout his Anfield career.

“I did receive calls from clubs and I would say I was interested,” he said.

“But back then clubs wouldn’t let you go until you had finished being useful to them.

“And there was massive competition just to be the Liverpool sub – because there was only one!

“But now Origi knows he’ll get matches, so I can completely understand why he wants to stay.”