Liverpool must avoid recalling Divock Origi for the good of all concerned…
Liverpool are reportedly in advanced talks to recall Divock Origi early from his loan deal with French club Lille, as the Reds seek a solution to their goalscoring problems.
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The Daily Express believes that the Reds will pay £3m for the Belgian international, who they purchased from Lille for £10m for during the summer transfer window, before allowing him to return to France on a season-long loan deal.
While Brendan Rodgers’ side have lacked a cutting edge this season, without star duo Luis Suarez – sold to Barcelona – and Daniel Sturridge, who remains sidelined through injury, Origi is surely not the answer for a side desperate for proven Premier League quality.
The 19-year-old, who was bought off the back of several impressive World Cup performances, has managed just four goals for Lille this season, with only three of those coming in league football. He also netted for Belgium in their win over Andorra.
This is not the scoring form of a player ready to take the Premier League by storm. Most likely, he would be sitting on the Anfield bench, stalling his development and leaving nobody better off.
Having already been linked to the likes of Saido Berahino and Wilfried Bony in recent weeks, Rodgers needs to put any money he does have available towards buying fresh talent, rather than splashing more cash on a player he already owns.
Not only does such a move look desperate, it would also harm the club’s reputation, and damage a strong relationship with Lille. It’s never good to come across as a team that goes back on their word, and it will make future transfers of a similar nature more difficult.
French football expert Andrew Gibney has also warned Liverpool fans not to pile too much pressure on Origi. He told the Liverpool Echo: “From a Lille fan’s point of view they aren’t going to miss him.
“He’s just not putting in 100 percent and perhaps because the rest of the team are in a relegation fight he’s just dropped to their level. As good as I hope he will go on to be, I don’t think they will miss him.
“If Liverpool are going to offer more money then the club will be thinking “why not?” He’s not doing enough to make much of a difference. The fans aren’t impressed with him. His attitude hasn’t been good and Lille fans think that his head is already in Liverpool.
“I think he shouldn’t be starting every game. They should be bringing him off the bench until he’s ready. Lille will be thinking that this is a bargain.”
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