Jürgen Klopp has lavished praise on the mentality of Divock Origi after he came off the bench to bag a crucial goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sunderland at Anfield.

The manager used his programme notes for tonight’s EFL Cup quarter-final with Leeds United to highlight how he believes the striker’s positive approach paid dividends against the Black Cats.

He said in ‘This is Anfield’: “I loved Divock’s goal because it showed so much awareness. I would need a new page in the programme if I was to list Divock’s abilities but the one that was highlighted at the weekend was attitude. This is possibly the most important one.

“I have said before, the importance of a player to me isn’t judged by the number of minutes he has had on the pitch so far. These players contribute every day, whether they make the teamsheet or not. Divock’s goals this season, when his chances have come, are the most visible aspect of his contribution. But his attitude in training and his positive impact on Melwood is just as, if not more so, important.

“Divock shows, in the clearest way possible, why being ready when the moment comes is more important than anything else; he was ready and he helped his team. I love this.”

Elsewhere, Klopp also explained the reasoning behind the decision to hand 17-year-old Ben Woodburn his senior debut as a late substitute versus Sunderland.

“Also, from the match at the weekend, it was brilliant to give Ben Woodburn his Premier League debut, even if only for a few minutes,” wrote the boss. “Ben is so very young and all of us who care about this player and his situation must protect him and not put extra pressure on him.

“At Kirkby and Melwood there will be no pressure or added spotlight. We want him to learn and develop at his pace, free from pressure. The minutes he had on the pitch were part of this development.

“Will there be more minutes this season? I do not know and it is not important right now. It does show, yet again, that for young players joining Liverpool there is a clear pathway to the first team, if you have the right attitude and character to follow it.”

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