Brendan Rodgers and his transfer committee have completed the signing of Belgian forward, Divock Origi, from French club, Lille. However, the 19-year-old will be loaned back to the Les Dogues this coming season as he looks to get first team football. All stats provided by whoscored.com
Origi is coming off a very good World Cup. He made an appearance in all five games for his country. He started the game against the United States over a more experienced player in Romelu Lukaku, and scored a crucial late goal against Russia to give Belgium the 1-0 win. Origi is a physical specimen: 6 feet tall, with long legs that allow him to fly around the pitch. He reads the game well; he sees holes in the defense he can exploit. He is also a goal poacher, able to react quickly to any opportunity that arrives at his feet or head.
If there is one flaw in loaning him back to Lille, it is that he will not start as the striker in any of the team’s formations, because he is blocked by veteran players in Salomon Kalou and Nolan Roux. When he starts, Origi is usually positioned out on the left side of a 4-3-3, where he can cut in and shoot with his stronger right foot. However, he did make 18 appearances as a substitute last season, where he can really change the game with his energy and ability to head the ball.
The big Belgian could get more playing time in the upcoming season, as Kalou could be looking at a return to the English Premier League, where he played for Chelsea. Although they are just rumors, it looks like Liverpool is interested in signing the Ivory Coast striker, especially after the failed move of Loic Remy who did not pass his medical. It would be a pretty shrewd move by the Reds, as they would be killing two birds with one stone. They give their younger talent playing time, and they add a player who has previous Premier League experience and can provide much needed depth in the forward positions.
Even though Liverpool fans will not get to see Origi play in Anfield this season, they should still be very excited for this talented player. He is an electric talent who is getting valuable playing time in a team that finished 3rd in Ligue 1 last season. When he finally arrives in Merseyside, he will only get better. He will learn under a great coach in Rodgers who knows how to develop his players – just look at the progress fellow youngsters Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho, and Daniel Sturridge made under the Northern Irish coach.
