In a recent interview with Football Insider, Kevin Phillips backed Aston Villa to recruit Liverpool forward Divock Origi this summer when he said,
“I do not think he would want to leave Liverpool and go to a team that could be scrapping for survival again next season but I could be wrong.
“Divock has been there for a while and he might be fed up with being on the fringes. He has won the Champions League and the Premier League and now he might just want to go and play football.
“When you go to somewhere like Villa or Leeds from Liverpool you expect to be playing virtually every game. That might be in the player’s thoughts.”
Origi’s Impressive Season At Anfield
The Belgian international has been a valuable squad player for the Reds over the past couple of seasons. He managed to produce a series of goal-scoring displays off the bench as an impact substitute which has made him a favourite amongst the Liverpool supporters at Anfield.
Origi’s most significant contribution for the Merseyside giants came in the UEFA Champions League final last year when he came on and scored the decisive second goal versus Tottenham Hotspur. Jurgen Klopp’s men ended up lifting the European Cup for the sixth time because of the Belgian’s brilliant cameo, and they have not looked back since then.
The 25-year-old has gone on to win the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Premier League with the Reds, so he could fancy a change of scenery this summer which would allow him to earn more first-team opportunities in the coming seasons.
Origi has made 42 appearances for the champions of England last season, scoring six and creating four goals across all competitions which proves just how effective he can be even when he is not getting regular playing time on the field.
What Will The Belgian Striker Bring To Villa Park?
Origi can put his pace to good use when travelling with the ball in and around the opposition penalty box. He has transformed himself into a decent finisher in the final third. However, the Oostende-born marksman can sometimes go missing in certain matches as he lacks consistency with his performances in the opposition half. The Belgian has been involved in ten goals for Liverpool last season, but would need to perform much better if he wants to secure regular starts in the Premier League next season.
Joining the Villans could be a welcome move for Origi this summer as it will offer him a chance to shine at the highest level every week. He will undeniably improve the quality of Dean Smith’s attack. The 28-time Belgian international could serve as an upgrade over Mbwana Samatta, Wesley Moraes and Keinan Davis at the West Midlands club in the upcoming campaign.
All in all, Smith should consider arranging a transfer to bring Origi to Villa Park during this summer transfer period as he will significantly bolster his attack and could help Villa avoid getting dragged into a relegation dogfight next year.