Liverpool look like they’ve signed the new Origi

In May 2024, Jurgen Klopp draped down the curtain on his Liverpool tenure.

The lionised manager felt irreplaceable, and he is, but Arne Slot pulled off something special in winning the Premier League one year after Klopp stood down.

History will be kind to Slot, but his position had become untenable after such a damaging second season; the Reds finished fifth, went trophyless, lost their identity.

Now, it’s Andoni Iraola’s time to shine, and after successive draws to start the term, a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town showed that the Spaniard can be a success at Anfield.

How Liverpool can build on their win over Ipswich

Liverpool have been a mixed bag so far this season, but they are unbeaten after three games and have secured a maiden win under Iraola’s management.

A few things have become clear: Ronald Araujo might be a more secure option at right-back than Jeremie Frimpong right now, and Virgil van Dijk is still the best defender in the Premier League.

Crucially, Alexander Isak bagged twice against the Tractor Boys, taking his tally for the season to three from three. Last year, he only scored three times all season.

With Cody Gakpo supplying the Sweden striker with each of his three strikes, there’s reason for supporters to start getting excited. This is a transitional period for the Reds, but Liverpool are starting to find form in Iraola’s system – with Fulham up next in the Premier League, at Anfield.

Reuters/Paul Childs

A more ferocious attacking structure will feed into the likes of Isak’s hopes of succeeding, but FSG haven’t just signed superstars, with one shrewd attacking signing showing that he could be the Kop’s new version of Divock Origi.

How Liverpool have signed the new Origi

Liverpool have had some superstar forwards over the years, but they have also enjoyed some iconic moments from players veering closer toward cult status.

Take Divock Origi, goalscorer in the Champions League final and bagsman across so many Merseyside derby.

Now, it looks like Victor Munoz could be the next one, blending pace and power in a way which raises supporters from their seats. Given that he signed from Osasuna in La Liga for just £35.5m, some £90m cheaper than the nine-figure fee Liverpool paid to Paris Saint-Germain to sign Bradley Barcola.

The 23-year-old is fleet-footed and has that rare quality of invariably looking dangerous when on the ball and moving forward. In that, he could be Liverpool’s new Origi, already proving with his curling strike against Nottingham Forest last weekend that he has a clutch moment in his locker.

Indeed, he had already proven himself when scoring a stunning finish to level the scores against Forest at Anfield last weekend, and while it was a somewhat more subdued display against Ipswich, the Spaniard’s pace and impetus were factors decidedly lacking for the Merseyside outfit last season.

That said, he demonstrated immense pace and game-changing ability, collecting and piledriving forward with one blistering run in the first half.

Moreover, he is dynamic and versatile enough to feature both out on the left and the right. Given that Liverpool failed to replace Mohamed Salah on the right wing this summer, it’s clear that Munoz is going to play an instrumental role across the campaign, popping up with big moments throughout.

It’s a shrewd signing, especially in today’s overinflated market. Way back when, Liverpool signed Origi from Lille for only £10m, and he ebbed and flowed before cementing cult status. Across 175 appearances, he posted 41 goals and 17 assists.

Munoz will hope that he will establish himself as a more influential member of the Liverpool persuasion. Someone who can start week in and week out, growing into one of the best in the business.

But there’s certainly something Origi-esque about him, and we may be treated to some pull-it-out-the-bag moments over the course of the campaign.