The days when Everton-Liverpool is referred to as the friendly derby have become increasingly rare and Divock Origi clearly not does view the Merseyside clash in that way. “War,” is the word Origi used when looking forward to Monday night. “It will be a war.”

Sometimes foreign players employ exaggerated language, but Origi perhaps can be forgiven as in April he suffered an ankle injury after Everton’s Ramiro Funes Mori produced a tackle that even the Everton legend Peter Reid called “scandalous”.

Funes Mori was shown a red card. The score was 2-0 to Liverpool at the time and 4-0 at the final whistle. The game was at Anfield, this one is at Goodison Park.

“It was an official message,” added Origi when asked if Funes Mori had been in touch afterwards, “but these things happen.

“I keep on looking forward and I am very excited for the next game. How will I feel? I don’t know who is playing, but I am very motivated.”

Origi was out for a month after that tackle but he returned to appear in the Europa League final against Seville, then at Euro 2016 for Belgium. He is, as he points out, only 21, but Origi feels he is maturing and five goals in his last five Liverpool matches suggest growing confidence too.

Liverpool January transfer targets Show all 7 1 /7 Liverpool January transfer targets Liverpool January transfer targets Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) The Merseyside club failed with an £11m bid for the 18-year-old striker in the summer, but may try their hand at signing him again this January. Pulisic is one of Europe's most highly-rated teenagers, having already made his international debut for the United States. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Virgil van Dijk (Southampton) It would not be a transfer window without Liverpool being linked with somebody from Southampton. This time it's Van Dijk, who has emerged as one of the Premier League's best centre-halves since arriving on the south coast from Celtic. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen) Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keen to strengthen his defence and the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back would be a good addition for the Reds. The German Tah is only 20 years of age but has impressed for both club and country this season. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Paul-Georges Ntep (Rennes) The left-midfielder’s deal at Rennes expires at the end of the season and so he will be free to sign a pre-contract in January. A strong dribbler of the ball, Ntep has been made two appearances for France. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) Seeing as Roberto Firmino is not a natural no. 9 and Daniel Sturridge has fallen out of favour, Liverpool have been linked with several strikers including French forward Alexandre Lacazette. The Lyon striker is quick, explosive and has already reached double figures this season. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) The Athletic Bilbao youngster signed a new contract in January with a release clause of €50m, but the rumours linking him with Anfield have not died down. The 22-year-old would certainly fit in with Jurgen Klopp’s style of play. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Mahmoud Dahoud (Borussia Monchengladbach) Jurgen Klopp has long admired the Germany under-21 midfielder, who plies his trade with Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany. Klopp will have to do battle with former club Dortmund to sign the German, while Italian giants Juventus are also interested. Getty

“These are things that happen,” Origi said of April’s injury, “I came back stronger and I have to continue growing.

“But I think this is only the beginning. At the end I will have time to reflect on the season and see what is good and not good, but obviously I am feeling better and better and I am very happy that I am here and I can express myself on the field.

“I like to keep my goal target for myself but I am very, very ambitious. I always said I want to get the best out of my potential. This has given me confidence but I still I have to grow and, like I said, now is not the time to be happy. I have to work hard, work hard and keep going.”

After a small blip, when Liverpool lost at Bournemouth and drew with West Ham at home, Origi and Adam Lallana scored the goals that gave the Reds victory at Middlesbrough last Wednesday.

The slick manner of the win, Origi said, means that Liverpool will approach the Everton match, which will be very different in tempo and atmosphere, “in a very positive way.”