Liverpool had "fixed" Origi transfer replacement before UCL heroics

Liverpool had agreed a deal to sign Max Kruse in 2019 before Divock Origi's Champions League exploits meant the move was "over".

The German forward was available on a free after his Werder Bremen contract had come to an end.

Kruse had scored 11 times for the Bundesliga outfit and would've been a shrewd addition.

But just as he thought a switch to Anfield was materialising Origi stepped up.

The Belgian scored twice in the incredible 4-0 comeback win against Barcelona in the semi-final before bagging one in the final success over Tottenham.

Those strikes earned Origi a new Liverpool deal and they opted against pursuing other options.

Kruse ended up moving to Turkish side Fenerbahce, but concedes it was "disappointing" not to secure a Liverpool switch.

“Of course, I would have done that. In my opinion, it was relatively fixed. [Liverpool] actually wanted to give up two strikers,” he said on the Spieltagssiegerbesieger – Der Kickbase Podcast,

“Then one of the strikers scored goals in the Champions League semi-final and final. Then it was over. At that moment it was disappointing.”

Origi went on to scored six goals in 42 appearances last term as the Reds won the Premier League - this season he has just one goal.

The 25-year-old has served as back-up to Liverpool's established front three.

His lack of goals and impact from the bench have raised questions about Liverpool's forward options though.

A poor campaign thus far has shone a light on the burden placed on Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

As a result former Red Jamie Carragher has called on the club to sign a new forward in the summer.

“ Liverpool definitely need to bring a goalscorer in,” he told  Sky Sports.

“I don't know exactly what position for, whether that's a centre-forward or a midfielder.

“At the moment they are massively reliant on Salah and Mane, nobody else looks like they're going to score."