It truly is strange how football works. Fernando Torres, Michael Owen perhaps, debatably even Luis Suarez, were never accepted as Liverpool greats by a sceptical fanbase, despite all-time goalscoring exploits.
Divock Origi on the other hand, has finally left Anfield - after agreeing to join AC Milan on July 1 when his Reds contract officially expires - with one word unanimously aired in celebration of his status: “legend”.
Jurgen Klopp used the phrase several times when he confirmed the striker would be leaving the club, after eight eventful years - and that is an understatement - on Merseyside, suggesting: “he’s one of the most important players I ever had.”
Given that he scored only 41 goals for the club in 171 appearances over those eight years, on the surface that would seem a rather gushing tribute to an unassuming player, who many suggest never truly made the most of his talents with Liverpool.
Yet where the aforementioned three posted far greater numbers in shorter periods at Anfield, they departed by forcing an exit in search of greater riches and honours. And none can claim to have scored more important goals for Liverpool.
In fact, perhaps David Fairclough aside, there is an argument that no one in Liverpool’s history has matched Origi’s contribution to the club in achieving so much by doing so - relatively - little.
And here perhaps, is where greatness is defined. As a goalscorer, Origi has scored the most iconic goal of Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield reign - and quite possibly the top three.
His winning goal in the Champions League semi final tie with Barcelona in 2019 is not just iconic. It is historic. Even his name is historic in the phrase stolen from the commentary for that game by the brilliant Steve Hunter. “Corner taken quickly…Origi…!!!!”
In the days of social media, he is a meme. But there is substance to the tributes, and for Klopp, there is also a point behind his praise. What Origi achieved at Anfield is virtually impossible in the modern game, merely because any other striker would have left.
Is Divock Origi a Liverpool legend? Have your say in the comments!
He scored in both legs of a pulsating Europa League quarter final against Dortmund in 2016, scored in the Champions League final, scored twice against Barcelona on the greatest Anfield night in history, scored quite possibly the most famous Merseyside derby goal of all time. At least on the Reds side.
And yet he was only a regular starter in that 2015-16 season which was Klopp’s first. Sadly, an injury soon after that quarter final after scoring another memorable derby goal - through a horrendous challenge by Everton ’s Ramiro Funes Mori - curtailed his career at the wrong time.
Klopp signed Mane that summer and Salah the year after. Origi was fourth or fifth choice behind even Daniel Sturridge and was sixth choice in his final season. That is why he is he leaving for a four-year contract with Milan, the Italian champions, at the age of 27.
Yet he never complained, never disrupted the squad, was always one of the most popular members, as Klopp pointed out constantly. The manager knows the value of a back-up striker of true quality, who keeps the harmony of the squad.
Even in his final season, he was still making those iconic contributions, a match-changing performance against Everton, again, and a goal kept Liverpool’s quadruple bid on course until the final two games of the season.
He was injured for both, unfortunately, a symptom of a still slightly unfulfilled Anfield career, despite all those famous goals. Had he been fit, surely Klopp would have turned to him in the Champions League final against Real Madrid, and given his history, no one would have backed against a fairytale ending.
