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With Roberto Firmino on the bench after suffering an ankle injury against Manchester United, Divock Origi was given the nod from the first whistle for Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby.

The showpiece event is a fixture that the Belgian international usually thrives in, having netted three times against them in the past, but at Goodison Park on Sunday the former Lille forward was extremely ineffective.

Origi started on the left of a three-man attack with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah alongside him, but could not continue his good form against the Toffees. He had just a single shot, which was off target, and in fact gave away more fouls than he had efforts on goal having twice been penalised.

You could point to the lack of creativity in midfield as a reason for Origi’s ineffectiveness, as, in fairness, very few chances were made for the forwards to gobble up, but the 23-year-old didn’t help himself with his lethargic display.

He scored in the previous league fixture against Watford, and another inspired showing on the blue half of Merseyside could have given Jurgen Klopp somewhat of a selection headache going into the title run-in, but it was not to be.

Origi had four unsuccessful touches, and failed to make a single key pass as his involvement in the game was practically non-existent, which will worry Liverpool as they find themselves relying on the same old players for goals week in, week out.

In a title race, up against a team like Manchester City with depth beyond belief, it would have sent out a real message if the Reds’ own fringe players proved they could contribute to their team’s title battle, but it was not to be.

Origi needs to pick himself up and work hard in training, or that could well be his last start of the season as Firmino nears full fitness.