YOU’VE heard of the Aaron Ramsey and Drake curse, but we bet you’ve never knew there was a Divock Origi one going around too!
The Liverpool striker hasn’t always been the most lethal in front of goal. But some teams on the receiving end of an Origi strike have been jinxed by the Belgium international AFTER he’s scored against them.
The curse of Divock Origi is real Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
European giants Barcelona and Spurs are both suffering a downturn in fortunes since he downed them in the Champions League.
Rivals Everton are under the spotlight about the future of their manager and poor league form since he netted in a Merseyside derby.
And even poor Sunderland can’t get themselves back up after a Premier League strike beat The Black Cats.
BARCELONA
A specialist in important goals, Origi’s brace against Barcelona was possibly his best performance in a Liverpool shirt.
He helped Jurgen Klopp’s side achieve an unthinkable second leg comeback to win 4-3 on aggregate against the La Liga champions.
Since then, Barcelona just haven’t been the same side.
Sure, they ended up winning the Spanish championship. But this season the knock on effect has been disastrous.
They’ve lost two of their opening six La Liga games, most recently against newly promoted Granada.
And in the Champions League they were lucky to get a point against Borussia Dortmund after being outplayed for 90 minutes.
And even Lionel Messi appears to have been jinxed, falling foul to injury twice this season. We daren’t mention Argentina flopping in the Copa America too.
Barcelona were on the receiving end of Origi’s best performance in a Liverpool shirt Credit: Getty Images – GettySPURS
Tottenham were riding on the crest of a wave BEFORE their Champions League final against the Reds.
They finished above their North London rivals Arsenal, pushing the Gunners out of the Champions League places again.
But ever since Origi sealed a 2-0 win back in June to beat Tottenham in the Champions League final, it’s all gone to pot.
Spurs are in crisis, having started their Premier League campaign slowly, including a shock 1-0 home loss to relegation fodder Newcastle.
They suffered ultimate indignity of being dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Colchester on penalties on Tuesday night too.
Spurs have not been the same side since Origi sealed their fate in the Champions League final Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
EVERTON
Nothing beats scoring in a Merseyside derby.
But when it condemns a heavy-spending Everyton side to a bad run and question marks over their manager, Liverpool fans love it even more.
Origi’s header gave his team a 1-0 win at Anfield in a crunch game as Liverpool went neck-and-neck with Man City in the tussle for the Premier League title.
The Toffees did finish sixth in the end, but it was a poor return in terms of the outlay they spent on transfers and hopes of a top four challenge.
This season, however, Marco Silva’s men have really struggled. A loss to Sheffield United last time out has had Everton fans calling for his head.
They sit 14th in the league, and with Man City next at Goodison it won’t get any easier to break their bad luck.
Origi scored the winner against Everton in the Merseyside derby last season Credit: EPA
WOLVES
To prove the knock-on effect of an Origi goal takes a season to kick-in, take a look at Wolves.
Perhaps over-achievers last season, when the forward scored in a 2-1 defeat at Molineux it seemed all was rosy for Nuno Espírito Santo and his Portuguese contingent in the Midlands.
But their cup run was ended by Watford (more on them later) at the semi final stage.
And this season they find themselves second bottom of the Premier League without a win in their first six matches.
Will the Origi curse condemn them to a shock relegation? We’ll soon see.
Wolves are now struggling since Origi found the net in an FA Cup tie Credit: AFP or licensors
WATFORD
Liverpool’s 5-0 pasting of Watford back in February has had Hornets fans having to accept heavy defeats.
Origi scored the third goal of that game – since then Watford have lost a Cup final to Manchester City 6-0, had manager Javi Gracia fired and currently sit rock-bottom of the Prem.
Apart from a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, there hasn’t been much to cheer at Vicarage Road.
Last time out they suffered the humiliation of an 8-0 loss to Pep Guardiola’s title-chasers. One name. Origi.
Watford lost a FA Cup final, manager and are rock-bottom of the Premier League since Origi scored against themCredit: AFP or licensors
NEWCASTLE
A club that seems to be permanently in crisis, Origi sank Newcastle’s fans hearts at St James’ Park with an 86 minute strike to keep Liverpool in the title race with four minutes to go back in May.
But it’s all gone wrong since the summer – having lost mercurial manager Rafa Benitez.
Steve Bruce came in, but many pundits have tipped them for the drop – and, of course, Mike Ashley still won’t sell the club.
Currently one point outside the relegation places, it doesn’t look good for the Toon Army.
Origi’s winning header against Newcastle saw the Toon Army lose Rafa Benitez and become relegation favourites Credit: EPA
FINALLY, SUNDERLAND
Well, if you’re nicknamed The Black Cats you’re asking for trouble when it comes to curses.
In 2016 an innocuous right-footed shot from Origi helped Liverpool on their way to a 2-0 win in a Premier League match against Sunderland.
No one knew what was to come.
Not only were their opposition that day relegated that season, Sunderland suffered the ultimate indignity of getting relegated from the Championship the following season.
And just to rub their noses in it, it was all chronicled on the small screen with a Netflix documentary which compounded Sunderland’s misery.
Blame Origi.
Sunderland were condemned to back-to-back relegations after Origi struck against them Credit: Rex Features
