OPINION
Liverpool’s forward depth has been called into question recently, with Roberto Firmino picking up an injury that meant he was involved only as a sub for the defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals last week, and missed the Reds 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday.
In the absence of Firmino Jurgen Klopp had the option of turning to either Daniel Sturridge or Divock Origi, with the German electing to start Sturridge for the trip to St James’ Park.
However, it was Origi and not Sturridge who was to be Liverpool’s hero against Newcastle, coming off the bench for Mohamed Salah with 17 minutes remaining and scoring the crucial late winner, with a glancing header to flick in fellow substitute Xherdan Shaqiri’s dangerous free-kick.
Origi’s goal was the 12th goal scored by a Liverpool substitute this season, which is more than any other team in the Premier League, as reported by OptaJoe’s official Twitter account.
12 – Liverpool have scored more Premier League goals via substitutes this season than any other team (12). Impact. #NEWLIV pic.twitter.com/SGn7fmmHXm
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 4, 2019
That is an impressive rate of goals to have coming from the bench, with many of those goals proving absolutely crucial to turning draws into wins which has allowed Liverpool to remain in the hunt for the Premier League title, alongside Manchester City.
It also suggests that despite the fears over whether both Sturridge and Origi are capable of being suitable replacements for Firmino, Liverpool are still able to both score goals and win games with either of the pair playing alongside Salah and Sadio Mane in the Reds’ front three.
However, with both players not offering the same technical ability and awareness to link up with both Salah and Mane, as effectively as Firmino often does when he is on the field, it could be key this summer that Klopp is able to bring in a forward whose qualities are similar to the Brazilian’s.
Whether Liverpool do add to their forward options or not this summer, they will still have the option to use their bench to turn around, or win tight matches, like they have done very effectively so far this season.
