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Divock Origi signs new long-term Liverpool contract

The Belgium striker scored in the Champions League final victory over Tottenham.

Divock Origi has committed his future to Liverpool after signing a new long-term contract.

The Belgium international had entered the final 12 months of his old deal and was stalling on the offer of a new one because of concerns over playing time.

Last season Origi earned himself cult-hero status with a stoppage-time derby winner against Everton before scoring twice in the 4-0 Champions League semi-final second leg success over Barcelona and then again in the final victory over Tottenham in Madrid.

PA understands there is no release clause in the contract, something which had been rumoured as being under consideration by the Belgian, and the club take this as a sign of his long-term commitment.

"I'm very happy to be able to sign this contract and it gives you a boost at the beginning of the season, as well as the end of the season last year," Origi told Liverpool's website.

"When we had to make the decision I just wanted to speak with the club first and my entourage, but the feeling was always that I wanted to stay and extend my contract.

"It's an amazing club, we have a good group, the staff are amazing. Even coming into Melwood, the people that work here and everything, you feel there is something special going on here."

Origi played 21 times last season, not making his first appearance until November 6 and starting just seven games.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said: "I really think it's a win-win situation.

"We wanted to sign him again, to extend the contract, and the nice thing is he wanted to as well. He realised it was a tough time (but) we never gave him up in that time, (we never said) 'OK, that will never work again', but sometimes in football you don't have enough time.

"Thankfully we had enough time that we could kind of wait until he is ready again. Now he is this wonderful player again so it's great to have him and I'm really, really happy about the signing."

Divock Origi kisses the Champions League trophy
Divock Origi kisses the Champions League trophy (Martin Rickett/PA)

Origi is expected to feature in Liverpool's first pre-season friendly against Tranmere on Thursday.

He added: "(I want) to keep progressing and trying to maximise the potential and talent I have each and every day.

"At the end of my career I want to sit back and be proud that I used all of my gifts and talents.

"I think the next years are going to be very special – prime years, maybe – and I'm going to try to use them to the fullest."

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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