Coronavirus: I was worried pandemic would deny Liverpool title – Okoth

Divock Origi’s father Mike Okoth has revealed his fear the coronavirus pandemic might have denied Liverpool the Premier League title.

Liverpool became the English champions on Thursday after a Chelsea win over Manchester City ensured the Merseyside club were not catchable at the top.

Okoth said he was, however, not opposed to the restrictions that were taken which included suspending the league until when it was tenable to play again.

“I was worried when the league shut down for the coronavirus,” Okoth told BBC Sport.

“Liverpool were flying – they were playing good football; they were ahead by a lot of points – and so when in March the league was stopped, we were saying: ‘Not now – please not now.’

“We knew that they were going to win the league – everyone knew – it was just a matter of when. So, when coronavirus struck, it brought the jitters.”

The retired Harambee Star revealed how the resumption of the league renewed his family’s hope of seeing Origi’s Liverpool win the title after a 30-year wait.

“There were nervous moments, waiting on the decisions of the Football Association and the government in England, and with what is happening all over Europe,” the former Shabana FC striker added.

“At the same time, life is more important. Football is just a sport.

“So; after a few days, we said that the most important thing was that everyone was healthy. We could always play football later on. But in the first moments, we were thinking: ‘Why now?’

“Fortunately, cases of coronavirus are going down. We regret the loss of life. The people of Liverpool have lost loved ones. But the title has come, eventually, and it’s possible to enjoy it now.”

The 1992 and 2004 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) participant also detailed Origi’s career growth and his early ambitions.

“I know all Divock has gone through over the years since he was a young player – working hard, all the pains, all the sacrifices he has made,” concluded the former Kenya Breweries striker.

“To see him succeed in this way gives you a good feeling and a proud moment as a parent – to know that what you were doing was the right thing.

“When he was growing up, he was a football person. We would go out and play together. It was always football, football, football.

“He always dreamed of it. I remember watching Match of The Day and the Champions League – they give you an eagerness, to say: ‘One day I want to be there. One day I want to be on the pitch and hear the Champions League hymn; one day I want to be on Match of The Day.’”