Divock Origi: I'm ready to take my chance
A goalscoring cameo off the bench on Saturday could be just the start of an impactful end to the season for Divock Origi, the Liverpool striker believes.
Origi put the seal on a Merseyside derby victory for the Reds with a powerful finish from the edge of the area moments after being introduced as a substitute.
The Belgian replaced fellow forward Sadio Mane, who was forced off with an injury that will rule him out for the visit of Bournemouth tomorrow night at a minimum.
With Adam Lallana sidelined for the coming weeks and Daniel Sturridge still working his way back to full fitness, an opportunity is now likely to fall at Origi's feet.
And the No.27 is confident of transferring his determined attitude off the pitch into performances that can push Liverpool closer to their objective.
"I'm ready," he said. "I always said that I'm ready to be an important player for the team. I really believe it. I'm not just an option for the future, I'm an option for now.
"I want to do everything to get in the team. The coach has several choices and that is only good for the team. The team is most important and we have to finish strong. I hope I can play a big part in the end of the season.
"I'm very ambitious and I believe in my qualities. Like I say, I'm ready and ready now to do whatever. But you have to put everything in and show it on the pitch.
"I always respect the decision of the coach and, for me, the most important thing is to stay cool in the head and enjoy the game every time, play a part and help the team."
Origi, who now has nine strikes to his name this season, had broken into Jürgen Klopp's starting line-up at the same stage of last term courtesy of an impressive run of goals.
That streak shuddered to a halt with an injury suffered against Everton a year ago, but the 21-year-old has faith the current campaign will conclude in different fashion.
He added: "I'm very good, I'm very fit. I feel even better than last year. For me, it is just giving everything for every minute that I get. Then at the end of the season we will see.
"Like coming on against Everton and putting everything in. We just wanted to win at all costs. We showed after the international break that we are ready to finish the season strongly."