Liverpool vs Newcastle: Divock Origi could play again this season says Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool striker Divock Origi could still play again this season despite being stretchered from the field during the Merseyside derby defeat of Everton, according to manager Jurgen Klopp. The Belgium international suffered suspected ankle ligament damage after a reckless tackle from Ramiro Funes Mori in the second half, and reports indicated he would not play again this season and was even a doubt for the summer's European Championships.

The Liverpool Echo had initially indicated that the 21-year-old, who has scored five goals in his last five starts, would not play again this term following a scan on the injury – while a second assessment was required to determine the length of his absence. Origi's impressive recent run of form had seen him jump ahead of Daniel Sturridge in the club's pecking order.

However, Klopp has claimed that Origi could feature before the end of the campaign and has refused to rule out a quick return from what appeared to be a season-concluding blow. The Liverpool boss is optimistic that the former Lille forward can recover in double-quick time in a surprise boost for the Reds.

"The injury, it's serious. What can I say? We will try everything, everything without taking a risk on the player, but that is how it is," he told reporters, according to the Liverpool Echo. "I am long enough in this business to know that we are all different and all individual so we don't have to make any general [assessment]. We have to work with him and it is the same with Emre Can so they are all individuals.

"I had a long time ago an ACL and I played again after four months, nobody could believe it but I had no problems with it. We should not say the season is over when we believe a little bit there are can be a few games for him. We shall see."

There is no prospect of Origi featuring against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday (23 April) while Liverpool's upcoming Europa League semi-final against Villarreal may also come too soon for the striker. With the final of the continent's second-tier club competition set for 18 May, the latest scheduled game the Merseysiders could be involved in, Origi faces a race against time to be involved again.

A welcome boost for Liverpool on the injury front has come in the form of Christian Benteke's recovery from a knee injury. The former Aston Villa hitman has not played since mid-March and though he is yet to return to training Klopp is hopeful of being able to call on his services soon.

"Good news is that Christian feels good," he added. "He wants to train. We will give him a few more days. No team training yet. When one door shuts, another door opens. He needs team training before he plays."