Already this summer, a lot has been made of Liverpool’s strike force, with most fans conceding that a lack of goals was a huge factor in failing to capture a top four place.
The need to make signings up-front has been a huge talking point, yet something that hasn’t been mentioned too much is one of the strikers that Liverpool signed last year, but someone they allowed to return to his former club on loan. This player being Divock Origi.
Spending a poor season on loan at Lille last year, with little to spark the appetite of Liverpool fans around the world, it is no wonder he hasn’t been thought about as someone to come and turn around the club’s fortunes, yet for Origi, he just can’t wait to get started, and has been talking about what he thinks about his club and new teammates.
“I think Liverpool is a wonderful club, it deserves to be at the top and to be on us the players to give everything,” he said.
“I think if we do this, then with the qualities that the team have we have to end [towards] the top of the league.”
Speaking ahead of Belgium’s game against France this Sunday, Origi spoke of the happiness he has that Brendan Rodgers has been given the backing by the clubs owners, in a meeting that took place on Tuesday: “I’m very happy, I think he’s a very good coach and he has proved this also. It will be very exciting for me to work with a world-class coach.”
This ringing endorsement will be music to the ears of a manager who has found his critics out in force this season, after a strong 2013-14 campaign that saw Liverpool miss out on top spot in the final games of the season.
Opening up on his reasons for joining the Reds, Origi said: “Most of all it’s important to be at a good club where people believe in you, where you feel good and with Liverpool I had a very good feeling. They have experience working with young players.”
One player who is on everyone’s lips right now, however, is Origi’s countryman and strike partner Christian Benteke, who has been strongly linked Liverpool in the past few weeks.
On the possibility of teaming up with Benteke for club as well as country, the Liverpool player was open minded, saying: “It’s always nice to play with good players, so he’s always welcome, and he’s a good guy so why not?”
Origi’s final words were that of encouragement, saying he sees a brighter future ahead for Liverpool fans and players alike: “the most important [thing] is that I work hard then I think everything will be ok.”
Divock Origi was speaking with Sky Sports’ Gary Cotterill.
