Last summer, two young Belgian forwards both signed contracts with major European clubs. Divock Origi was signed by Liverpool, while Michy Batshuayi left Standard Liege for Olympique de Marseille.
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At that point in time, you would have been convinced that Liverpool had recruited the finer player. They splashed out £10 million for Origi, who has already featured for Belgium’s national side, while OM’s signing of Batshuayi—yet to be capped—was considered something of a punt.
However, with 30 games played in the season, it’s hard to argue that Marseille’s man isn’t the better of Ligue 1’s two Belgian hotshots.
Admittedly, Origi looked superb last weekend when he bagged a hat-trick as LOSC Lille routed Stade Rennais 3-0, but that performance ended a five-month goal drought—a worrying sign for Brendan Rodgers. The forward was unable to build on that excellent showing against Saint-Etienne this weekend, and delivered an anonymous performance before being replaced by Kevin Koubemba.
So far this term, Origi has six goals and has contributed two assists in 18 starts.
Batshuayi, by contrast, has emerged as a key figure in Marseille’s title tilt. Despite only making five starts to date, he already has eight goals.
He was again in explosive form against Racing Club de Lens at the weekend, opening the scoring and going on to bag a brace in the Phoceens’ 4-0 triumph.
Admittedly, Batshuayi is playing for the better side, but at present it’s hard to argue that Liverpool will be receiving the better of Ligue 1’s two young Belgian hitmen this summer.