Divock Origi hands Liverpool major fitness boost

Divock Origi has been given the all clear to aim for a dramatic Europa League final return.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted last week he was being optimistic rather than realistic, in his hope the striker could recover in time from an ankle injury to play for the Reds again this season.

But after a trip to Belgium to have extensive tests on the ligament injury, the 21 year old was told he doesn't need an operation, on the problem he picked up after a shocking challenge by Ramiro Funes Mori in the Mersey derby a week ago.

And that means he can now target a comeback in time for the Europa League final in Basel on May 18 - should his team win through their semi showdown against Villarreal.

At the very least, the news means Origi will be able to play in this summer's European Championships with Belgium, but he is determined to target the final, with an intensive programme of recovery over the next weeks.