‘I tell you’: Steve Nicol suggests LFC much better off without ‘horrendous’ ace who played UCL final

Steve Nicol has suggested Liverpool are a side much better off without Divock Origi, whom he labelled a ‘horrendous’ footballer in open play.

The 61-year-old, who played a key part in Bob Paisley’s monster Reds outfit of the 1980s, begrudgingly admitted that the Belgian international had scored a few key goals in his time at Anfield.

“Did he score a goal? Yes, he did. That’s what the guy did at Liverpool. He never saw the field until the last 5-10 minutes, and yes, he had a habit of scoring big goals,” the former Red told ESPNFC.

“But I tell you what, in open play, he was horrendous. And in that final (against Tottenham), he was horrendous as well, even though he scored a goal.

“For a guy who is about 6ft 12. He can’t head a ball to save his life. He couldn’t hold a bag of cement if you played it up to him. He couldn’t pass a ball to someone with the same colour of jersey on. And he can’t head the ball.

“But he scored a goal in the final! His actual play is garbage.”

The now Nottingham Forest striker ended his Merseyside career with 55 goal contributions in 175 games for the club.

Liverpool line-ups for Leicester City as changes made after Darwin Nunez decision

Caoimhin Kelleher – a “world-class” deputy, according to Lijnders – starts in goal behind a back four of Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson.

In midfield, Wataru Endo can anchor the engine room with Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch ahead of the Japan captain with the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister waiting in the wings.

Up top, Ben Doak starts off the right with Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo completing the front three. Mo Salah might find he has the night off while Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz can be kept in reserve.

Theo Squires: With Jurgen Klopp making 11 changes for last week’s Europa League victory over LASK Linz, I’d expect wholesale changes again when Liverpool kick start their League Cup campaign against Leicester City.

Caoimhin Kelleher comes back in to start in goal, with Stefan Bajcetic again trialled as an inverted right-back. Kostas Tsimikas comes in at left-back, with Ibrahima Konate starting at centre-back alongside youngster Jarell Quansah.

The midfield that started last week in Austria all get the nod again, with Wataru Endo sitting deeper and Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch both utilised as number eights.

Meanwhile, Ben Doak gets another start in attack on the right, with Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota both coming back into the starting XI after being used as substitutes in the weekend victory over West Ham.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bajcetic, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Gravenberch; Doak, Gakpo, Jota.

Sean Bradbury: While it is tempting to keep up the momentum of some in-form players, Spurs is a massive game at the weekend.

Which means that the very capable ‘second string’ are backed to tackle Leicester City at Anfield this evening.

Caoimhin Kelleher gets the nod in goal. Ahead of him is a back four of Stefan Bajcetic (toying with the hybrid role again), Joel Matip, Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas.

The midfield that started against LASK goes again with the hope of a bit more cohesion from the outset here.

In attack, Ben Doak and Diogo Jota are on the flanks with Cody Gakpo leading the line. Resting Darwin Nunez is a tricky decision as he is on such a role…but it makes sense tonight. He can come on if needed.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bajcetic, Matip, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Gravenberch, Elliott; Doak, Gakpo, Jota.

Brendan McGilligan: Jurgen Klopp will have one eye on the Tottenham Hotspur game on Saturday evening when selecting his team for the League Cup fixture against Leicester City.

The German may select a similar side to the one that lined up against LASK in the Europa League as they prepare to face the Championship leaders.

Caoimhin Kelleher will return between the sticks as he continues his role as cup goalkeeper for the Reds. The defence will likely see Stefan Bajcetic play at the right of a back four, as Trent Alexander-Arnold remains on the sidelines through injury and to give Joe Gomez a rest.

The centre-back pairing could use Joel Matip for his experience to help continue the impressive start Jarell Quansah has made to his Liverpool career, and Konstantinos Tsimikas should slot in at left-back.

The midfield should see Wataru Endo anchor it, alongside the attacking options of Harvey Elliot and Ryan Gravenberch, as Klopp looks to integrate the Dutchman into the starting line-up slowly.

Meanwhile, the front three should see Cody Gakpo leading the line up through the middle; the wide positions will be occupied by two players in form, Darwin Nunez on one side, accompanied by the dynamic Ben Doak. Diogo Jota will start from the bench, with the Portuguese potentially in line to start against Spurs alongside Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bajcetic, Matip, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Gravenberch, Elliott; Doak, Gakpo, Nunez.