Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino emerged as the deadliest attacking trio of Europe last season despite a heartbreak in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. They, however, are not in their best run of form this term and yet managed to retain an unbeaten status in Premier League thanks to options from the bench who often made an impact in culminating minutes.
But a few of their once-promising stars are likely to be offloaded soon having lost the manager’s trust, and Divock Origi has to be one of them in the aftermath of a miserable loan spell to Wolfsburg the last term followed by an underwhelming pre-season back in summer.
Origi, 23, was the most prominent centre-forward option when Jurgen Klopp arrived at the club and enjoyed a couple of ten-goal-a-season campaigns despite not being viewed as the first choice on most occasions.
But the Belgian failed to flourish in the Bundesliga which could have been the breakthrough season of his career which instead turned out to be a nightmare. He only managed a few minutes in Liverpool’s 2-0 loss to Red Star Belgrade in Europe and spent the rest of his time among the reserves failing to earn a place over Firmino and Daniel Sturridge.
Origi was monitored by many in summer, but a move failed to materialise following a high asking fee set by the club. The Reds were reluctant to allow another loan move and opted to keep hold of the centre-forward whom they bought from Lille for £10m back in 2014.
However, a report from Daily Mirror suggests Wolves interest in lining up a bid of £20m in January to resolve their crisis upfront. Raúl Jiménez has impressed with high work ethics but found the net only three times so far in the league, and therefore, needs support and experience alongside him to meet the expectations.
Liverpool should not play hardball again amid fears of a further drop in price due to lack of playtime and should look to integrate Rhian Brewster with the first team once the teenager returns from his injury setback. Dominic Solanke might be loaned out in January for senior minutes having failed to make it to the pitch following summer reinforcements and the sum assembled from the selling of Origi, Nathaniel Clyne and also Joel Matip would allow Klopp to reinvest in the squad next summer.
These are the players currently surplus to requirements in Merseyside and Origi, too, must accept his fate and resume his career elsewhere where he would be handed a vital role in regaining confidence.
