Divock Origi is aiming to become an "important player" for Liverpool after making a goalscoring return to action in Saturday's pre-season game against AC Milan.
Liverpool beat their Serie A opponents 2-0 in the International Champions Cup clash in Santa Clara, with substitutes Origi and Roberto Firmino finding the net.
Origi, on his first outing since turning out for Belgium at Euro 2016, opened the scoring just before the hour mark with a smart turn and finish.
The 21-year-old shone at times last term but has yet to cement his spot in the Liverpool team – something he is keen to address.
Premier League preview
• Richard Jolly: Our English football correspondent's full predictions and analyses
• Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp begins to mould Liverpool into his preferred shape
“I’m very happy to be back on the pitch,” he told the club’s official website.
“I can feel the confidence from everyone and can improve and enjoy my game.
“Year by year I’m improving and I’m still young. The most important thing is to make steps and last year I had some good moments, so I want to learn and become more consistent to help the team even more and become an important player in the team.”
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is also tipping Origi to make an impact for Jurgen Klopp’s team, despite battling the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings and Christian Benteke for game time up front.
“Since he’s come into the club he has progressed throughout his time here and he is getting better and better,” Henderson said.
“I thought he finished last season brilliantly and then got a bad injury, but he is looking sharp in pre-season again and I think he is going to have a big season because he is a big player for us.”
Liverpool, who lost their first ICC match to Premier League rivals Chelsea, take on Barcelona at Wembley on Saturday, before opening their Premier League campaign at Arsenal on August 14.
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Barcelona v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight
25%20Days%20to%20Aden
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Michael%20Knights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20256%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2026%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIGHT CARD
Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)
Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
