Origi Seizing the Chance to Establish Himself for Liverpool

When Liverpool underwent their spending splurge last summer, bringing in Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings, the return of Divock Origi flew under the radar. The Belgian signed for Liverpool following the 2014 World Cup after a notable showing for Belgium, but was immediately loaned back to Lille for the season. As a result, Origi became something of a forgotten man on Merseyside following his return to France. 

Just eight goals and three assists in 33 league appearances last term - a modest return for a striker - saw him infamously named in Ligue 1’s worst team of the season in French publication L’Equipe and did little to dissuade the doubters that Origi would amount to nothing at Anfield. Sparingly used under first Brendan Rodgers and then Jurgen Klopp - the pair either favouring big-money arrival Benteke or Roberto Firmino in attack before Daniel Sturridge’s return to fitness - Origi’s chances of settling at Anfield were further dented after sustaining a knee injury back in December. 

Indeed, he could have fallen right out of favour under Klopp, particularly with Sturridge impressing following his recovery. The Liverpool boss was also unimpressed by Origi’s inability to handle himself against the physically imposing English defences, but he has since rectified this issue. During his time on the sidelines, the 20-year-old packed on five kilograms of muscle in a bid to convince Klopp he warrants consideration. 

Following his return, the Reds boss is being rewarded for his demands for the Belgian to bulk up. Origi netted in the 6-0 win over Villa following his return to fitness and while there was a minor blip in form, the Belgium international looks every bit the promising striker signed on the back of his commendable World Cup showings. Three goals and one assist in his last four competitive outings - including a vital goal in the first leg 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund last week - have propelled Origi into third in the pecking order for Liverpool behind Sturridge and Firmino.

While there was a hint of fortune to his second goal against Stoke at the weekend, the fact is Origi is beginning to prove his qualities after a tough start to life on Merseyside. His recent performances are starting to reflect his commendable form during Belgium’s World Cup campaign, with the youngster leading the line with aplomb when it’s required of him. 

As such, it’s no surprise to have seen his WhoScored rating rise from a lowly 6.39 to a vastly-improved 6.87 in the Premier League and Europa League from before and after his spell on the sidelines. The obvious improvements have come not only in his goal return, but his hold up play in attack. Klopp has routinely deployed a system that requires a lone frontman following his appointment, building his attack around fleet-footed attackers, such as Philippe Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge. 

However, from time to time, the German needs a stronger striker to help keep the opposition backline occupied and ease pressure on the defence. This was an effective approach at the Westfalonstadion last week, with Origi churning out a mature performance in Dortmund to help the Reds to a positive result. Liverpool were rarely going to see much of the ball against Thomas Tuchel's team, who have averaged more possession at home in the Europa League this season (63.2%) than any other team, but when they did get forward, they often looked to Origi as a means of holding up the ball. 

During his 83 minutes on the pitch, the Belgian touched the ball just 36 times and while often isolated, held up possession effectively having been dispossessed just twice in the encounter. His goal was the epitome of the new-found strength to hold off Lukasz Piszczek and fire past Roman Weidenfeller, albeit with the help of a deflection off the Polish right-back. 

Nevertheless, it showed just how big an asset Origi can be to Klopp when, at one stage, it seemed as though his Liverpool career would be over before it really begun. "I wanted to take him to Dortmund when Liverpool bought him, but we could not," Klopp said of Origi back in October, so the Reds boss has always been a fan of the striker. The Belgian is now firmly ahead of compatriot Benteke and Ings in the Liverpool pecking order, though the latter has dropped unfairly down that list due to a serious knee injury sustained in his first training session under Klopp. 

Origi, though, has taken the chance to establish himself as a key member of Klopp’s Liverpool side, becoming the player the club hoped Benteke would be following his big money arrival from soon-to-be-relegated Aston Villa. Of course, Origi is far from the finished article and at 20 years of age, there is certainly more to come from the striker, but his form of late suggests he is beginning to realise his potential.

How impressed have you been with Origi following his return to fitness? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below