‘He started scoring’: International striker says Divock Origi cost him a move to Liverpool

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Max Kruse claims Divock Origi cost him a move to Liverpool in 2019. Jurgen Klopp had to call with the bad news.

Max Kruse gave an interview this week where he claimed Divock Origi is the sole reason he didn’t sign for Liverpool. This dates back to 2019 when the forward, who has 14 Germany caps, was enjoying a great spell with Weder Bremen.

Three great seasons had seen Kruse’s reputation rise once again but his contract expired that year. It seems that Liverpool were interested in signing him on a free transfer and Jurgen Klopp made contact.

“I was going to sign a contract with Liverpool in the summer of 2019, when my contract with Werder Bremen expired,” he told esnshonhaber.com. “We have been on the phone with Jürgen Klopp since February.

“It was like I was transferred to Liverpool, only the signature was missing. It would be the pinnacle of my career. However, things developed very differently.”

Kruse then explains that Divock Origi got in his way with a period of sparkling form.

“The duo of [Daniel] Sturridge and Origi was going to be sold, I was going to sign,” he said. “That was their plan. Then Origi started scoring many goals in the last part of the season.

“The club changed their mind after these goals. Jürgen called me, ‘Sorry Max. The decision to keep Origi. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to transfer you.’ “My transfer to Liverpool didn’t happen at the last minute. I was very upset.”

Max Kruse misses out on Liverpool

Liverpool were linked with Kruse at the time and we entirely believe this. Origi’s career at Anfield was fading out in early 2019 but a series of goals truly changed everything.

There were some big league goals, of course, but also a brace against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals. Those goals catapulted Origi to legendary status with Liverpool – the goal in the final then cemented it. A new contract was inevitable and it seems that was at the cost of Kruse.

Would the German have been a good signing? We think so, yes. He was decent for Fenerbahce after moving there instead but Kruse’s ability as a deep-lying forward would have suited him at Liverpool. Klopp presumably saw him as backup for Roberto Firmino.

But it wasn’t to be. Origi’s goals changed the course of history at Anfield – in more ways than one.