'Obviously people don't watch football enough!': Jurgen Klopp admits he was shocked a 'proper offer' didn't come in for 'outstanding' Divock Origi... even though HE has left him out of Liverpool's squad ENTIRELY in recent weeks

• Divock Origi put on a superb performance on his return to the Liverpool team
• The striker laid on an assist for Mo Salah as Liverpool defeated AC Milan 3-2
• Jurgen Klopp insisted he is an 'outstanding striker' and will go down as a legend
• The Reds boss said he was shocked no clubs tried to sign him in the summer 

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted he was surprised that a 'proper offer' did not arrive for Divock Origi this summer despite leaving him out of his squad entirely in recent weeks. 

Origi, who was handed his first start since January in Liverpool's 3-2 Champions League victory over AC Milan, reminded everyone of his quality by providing a sumptuous assist for Mohamed Salah.

The forward went off after the hour mark with cramp before Jordan Henderson scored a stunning strike from outside the box to seal their remarkable comeback victory.

Origi has barely been in the squad this season, being left out of the squad for Liverpool's last three Premier League games and was expected to depart in the summer, having fallen way behind Sadio Mane, Salah and Roberto Firmino in the pecking order.

However, the Belgian ended up staying put after no suitable offers came in. Klopp admitted after Wednesday night's victory he was shocked that no clubs pursued him in the summer and insisted Origi will be viewed as a 'legend' when he eventually leaves the club. 

'People forget how good he is,' Klopp told BT Sport. 

'It's difficult to get in this team. In the summer transfer window we all thought there would be a proper offer, but obviously people don't watch football enough!

'Div is a sensational striker and did really well today.'

Origi was not the only surprise in Klopp's side for their Group B opener against Milan, with Virgil van Dijk and Mane left out while Joe Gomez was brought in for his first start in nearly a year. 

The German head coach insisted the rotation was a necessity and reserved special praise for 'outstanding striker' Origi after his performance.

The Liverpool boss added: 'He's a great guy. He'll be seen as a legend when he leaves.

'He could have left in the summer but football is a crazy place and people forgot how good he is. We have to decide the positions. He did nothing wrong.'

Origi joined Liverpool in 2014 and has won the Champions League, the Premier League, the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his time at Anfield.

The 26-year-old's most memorable moment in a Liverpool shirt undoubtedly came when he scored in the Champions League final to wrap up victory over Tottenham back in 2019.