Origi muscling his way into Liverpool’s plans

There may be more physically imposing frontmen in the Premier League than Divock Origi, but the Liverpool striker intends to throw his weight around this season after bulking up in the gym.

Origi finished last year as Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice forward but faces stiff competition through the middle from a refreshed Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings, who missed nearly the entire campaign through injury.

Ten goals from 33 appearances represented a promising start and the 21-year-old insists he is ready to step it up a gear following an intense pre-season training regime.

“I have spent a lot of time in the gym,” said Origi, who scored in Liverpool’s impressive 4-0 victory over Barcelona last weekend.

“When I came here I used to watch the other players a lot and see how they were working in the gym and how they adapted to English football on and off the pitch.

“I tried to do the same and it had a lot of benefits for my daily living and from a mental aspect.

“I’m feeling very good. I’m feeling sharp, I’m working very hard and I’m learning every day.

“I feel ready to start the season, whatever comes, and I have to stay fit and stay focused. I’m feeling good at this club and feeling good in this group.”

(Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

While Manchester United have splashed £89m on Paul Pogba this week – quickly followed by Manchester City’s £47.5m swoop for John Stones – Liverpool have not quite matched their top-four rivals for expenditure.

But they have improved their wide attacking options considerably with the signatures of Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane, leaving Origi confident the Reds will ruffle some feathers at the top.

“Everything is there to do great things so we always have to keep hope and keep pushing until the end and if we do this I’m convinced we can surprise people this year,” he added.

“We want to achieve the highest [targets] possible.

“It’s never easy but we have to stick together as a team and as a club.

“We know there will be good moments [and] moments that will be more difficult, but eventually, if we stick together, if we have the same plan, the same ambition, the same hunger, and if every team-mate tries to help each other, I think we will stand very strong.”