With the return to fitness of Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge, Origi has fallen further down the pecking order – at one point he was the team’s only fit striker – and prior to last night had played just four minutes in the last month.
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Origi’s treble helped the Reds to a stunning win, which now puts them within two games of a Wembley appearance under Klopp, who is aiming for his first trophy in his first season at the club.
Sadio Mane headed in the opener after 41 seconds, the 100th goal of Ronald Koeman’s reign, but a Daniel Sturridge brace and an opportunistic strike from Origi had Liverpool firmly in control by half-time. Not live in a stadium in an important tournament, but the rest I knew about.
There was still time for Origi to claim his hat-trick goal in the 86th minute, controlling Moreno’s cross on the chest before drilling a shot past ‘keeper Stekelenburg. We have to give the right advice in the right moment.
“How do I know if he can be better than a couple of seasons ago?”
The Liverpool FC manager was delighted to see England global Daniel Sturridge on the scoresheet, revealing after the game that he finally realised the quality that the 26-year-old possesses.
“No [Sturridge did not need convincing to start]”. It’s all about organisation, communication and maybe we have to play a little bit [reserved] and not give that space.
Liverpool are four points off the top four, and six points off top spot in the Premier League, and there are no limits for the club under Klopp, reckons Redknapp. I said “You have to learn this, this and this, do this and don’t do hard things” and he said “Yes, I know”.
But he refused to get carried away, and said: “I’ve had a few semi-finals in my life, and I have never had an easy one”.
In light of Liverpool’s 6-1 demolition of Southampton in midweek, and their upcoming Premier League clash against Newcastle United, a Reds website have explored the depth of Jurgen Klopp’s squad. “Stoke will want this final, for sure”.
Away wins at Chelsea and Manchester City were secured as Liverpool’s players outworked rivals that could not cope with their energy and passion.
Until Wednesday, Southampton had been ticking along quite nicely, recovering from a sluggish start to the season to produce a fine run of eight games unbeaten to suggest they were capable of matching or even surpassing last season’s 7th place finish. Very complete, defensively strong, good movement, and they killed the game with high quality, but (it was) too easy in my opinion.
Southampton had been bidding to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1986-87, but dreams of a first major final since 2003 quickly faded as they sank to their heaviest home defeat since March 1959.
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“The second half is my responsibility”, Koeman admitted.
