Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has lambasted Reds cult hero Divock Origi in a recent interview featured on ESPN’s official YouTube channel.

While Nicol acknowledged Origi’s propensity for scoring big goals in major moments, he branded the Belgian’s general play as ‘garbage’ and said he ‘can’t head a ball to save his life’.

Moreover, he also criticised Origi’s performance in the 2019 Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur, in which he scored the winning goal – Nicol said he was ‘horrendous’ in that game.

What did Liverpool legend Steve Nicol say regarding Divock Origi?

“Did he score a goal? Yes, he did. That’s what the guy did at Liverpool. He never saw the field until the last 5-10 minutes, and yes, he had a habit of scoring big goals.

“But I tell you what, in open play, he was horrendous. And in that final [against Tottenham], he was horrendous as well, even though he scored a goal.

“For a guy who is about 6ft 12. He can’t head a ball to save his life. He couldn’t hold a bag of cement if you played it up to him. He couldn’t pass a ball to someone with the same colour of jersey on. And he can’t head the ball. But he scored a goal in the final! His actual play is garbage.”

Were Nicol’s comments fair?

In truth, Origi was never the most graceful of footballers – his first touch was mixed at best and his overall technical ability often left a lot to be desired.

However, to call such a cherished player at Anfield ‘garbage’ is ridiculously unfair. His movement off the ball, combined with his lethal finishing, made him a very effective (if a little old fashioned) striker on his day.

Origi was a classic ‘big game’ player. He never shirked away from a big occasion and was always willing to give everything he had for the team – the Liverpool massive loved him for it and rightly so.

His actual goal record in the Premier League was far from stellar – netting just 22 times over the course of 107 games – but he usually managed to muster a goal when it mattered the most.