Liverpool FC and Brendan Rodgers have shelved plans to bring back Divock Origi prematurely from loan at Lille.
Liverpool signed Origi in a A?10million deal last summer but the player was immediately loaned back to Lille, as the French club were only willing to sell if the Reds sent him back on loan for a season. With the Belgian struggling at the French club and the Reds lacking a natural goalscoring threat in front, it was reported that the club were willing to give Lille about A?3million more to secure his services six months earlier.
However, the Liverpool boss has now abandoned these plans and feels he has enough options till the end of the season for his targets. Liverpool ECHO report: There has now been a change of heart and Brendan Rodgers is prepared to leave Origi at Lille until the summer.The manager believes Liverpool have sufficient attacking options to help them achieve their target of a Champions League spot.
Brendan Rodgers has also confirmed this decision in an interview with TalkSPORT.
a There were a few discussions to see where it was at but the likelihood is that he will stay at Lille,a Rodgers said
a Hea s a really exciting young talent. Hea s got everything.
a Hea s well suited to the Premier League a hea s fast, got great feet, tactically hea s very good and he works very hard.
a He can play through the middle or from the side. Hea s also a humble kid.
a Wea ll get him in the summer and he will be an exciting young player for us.a
Daniel Sturridge is nearing his long awaited comeback (the striker last played for the Reds on 31st August). Raheem Sterling has been given a two week break and has done well as a false nine in Liverpool’s new system. Liverpool’s very exciting youngster Jordon Ibe has also been recalled from loan at Derby County after doing really well for the Rams. Moreover, Liverpool’s strikers Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli have also made it clear to the management that they are determined to stay at Merseyside and prove themselves. Borini got two successive Premier League starts and made use of this opportunity as he scored his first goal for the club since April 2013 in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Aston Villa. Mario Balotelli has been looking sharper of late and fans are excited to see him team up with Daniel Sturridge as the Italian has always done better in a two striker system. Rickie Lambert also netted against Aston Villa, his first since November, and is a good option to have on the bench and despite interest from Crystal Palace, he won’t be sold.
All in all, things are looking good for Liverpool for the first time this season and the players are clicking well in the new system. With Sturridge really close to returning to action, getting Origi back for an added sum doesn’t make sense. The Belgian won’t get as many chances with Liverpool at the moment and at his developing age, needs all the game time he can get. In the summer, Liverpool will probably get rid of one of their strikers and Origi could then compete for a starting spot in the team.