Liverpool: Will the Reds offload Divock Origi before the window closes?
By John Wozniak
Divock Origi’s contract expires next year, and time is running out for the club to sell him. The Liverpool forward has not established himself as a regular starter under Jürgen Klopp.
With four Liverpool strikers in form, it’s difficult to see how Origi fits into the side. The League Cup and later stages in the Champions League look like plausible games for the 26-year-old.
At 19, Origi became the youngest player to score a goal in Belgian World Cup history. His blistering pace caught the attention of Europe’s top clubs. Despite scoring some important goals for Liverpool, he hasn’t lived up to expectations.
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Origi’s last Premier League goal came in the 2019/20 season when the Reds won the league championship. Top European sides need regular goalscorers, or players able to create lots of chances for their striker partners.
Origi’s 19 league goals in 100 appearances could persuade potential buyers to look elsewhere. During that period, Origi has made six assists only.
Commenting in the Liverpool Echo club legend John Aldridge gave his take on Origi’s situation:
"I think Divock should go. I think he has a year left on his contract and Liverpool really need to try and get money for him. But if he’s in a position where he wants to go for free, he’s entitled to let it run. When you’re a player, realise it’s not all about money. You don’t want to waste 12 months of your career, just sitting on the bench, coming on as a sub four or five times and getting the odd game."
Klopp and the Liverpool owners must wait for a transfer bid, but Klopp will have another player to keep happy if the call doesn’t come. The Reds will demand a sum of around £30m for Origi.
Liverpool have made one signing this summer, defender Ibrahima Konate. With the transfer window closing, it doesn’t look like the club will sign anyone else.