Arsenal legend Ian Wright is adamant Liverpool would be making a mistake by allowing Divock Origi to leave Liverpool this summer.
The Belgian forward is poised to leave the Reds when his contract expires in the summer - with AC Milan said to be his most likely destination at this stage. Limited to only 563 minutes of match action this campaign, Origi has been starved of first-team minutes and is expected to leave in search of regular playing time.
Despite the lack of opportunities presented to the 27-year-old this term, he has made his mark whenever deployed by Jurgen Klopp - as has often been the case throughout his career at the club. Origi scored a late winner away to Wolves back in December after being introduced late on and got on the scoresheet in similar circumstances during Sunday's Merseyside derby.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp gives Roberto Firmino injury update after Liverpool absence
HAVE YOUR SAY: Pick your Reds team to face Villarreal
A man for the big occasion is certainly a reputation the former Lille striker lives up to, so much so that Wright believes the Reds are likely to regret parting company with their game-changer this summer.
“If he goes, Liverpool lose,” he said on his Wrighty’s House podcast. "People might think, 'yeah, he’s a substitute', but Liverpool fans know, Klopp knows and the players know.
“Even the players, there’s a certain time when you’re on and you think, 'I wish he would come on'. I think if Liverpool got rid of Divock Origi now, they would get rid of a vital component when it’s not working for Firmino, Mane, Salah and Jota.
“If they get second halves like the first half (on Sunday), you need Divock Origi. Whatever you say about he could go elsewhere and play, he’s vital to them and it’s almost like he can feel and sense it, we’re coming into Origi territory at this stage of the season.”
