According to a recent report by the Daily Mirror, newly-promoted Premier League outfit Leeds United are said to be targeting a potential move for the services of Liverpool’s Belgian international attacker Divock Origi. Marcelo Bielsa’s desire to strengthen his side ahead of participating in the Premier League next season does not come as too much of a surprise, with the Whites having already been linked with a move for Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard. Last season’s Championship winners are said to be eyeing up Origi as an alternate option if their move for Edouard doesn’t go to plan.
Although the report has clarified that Leeds United are interested in Liverpool’s Divock Origi, whether or not they can convince the Merseyside club to sell is a whole other matter. The Whites’ inquiry is said to have come at the right time, with the Belgian forward seemingly open to a move away in search of regular first-team football. While Edouard has been confirmed to be their primary target, by no stretch of the imagination is their path towards acquiring the Frenchman going to be an easy one. With Origi keen to stay in the Premier League as well, this transfer could be custom-made for the Whites’ current situation.
What Is Liverpool’s Current Situation In Attack?
The Reds boast what is widely considered to be among the most fluid yet deadliest attack-lines in not just the Premier League, but the entirety of Europe. The combination play from the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Made and Roberto Firmino are second to none in the division, and the fluent relationship that they have formed has had an important part to play as well. While the two speedy wingers are tasked with getting most of their goals, the Brazilian’s responsibility includes play-making and creating spaces in the final third for the Reds’ speedsters to run into.
Apart from the standard front-three though, Liverpool possess what is arguably among the worst benches in the Premier League’s top six. Divock Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri and Takumi Minamino form the attacking options that Klopp has to choose from, and it’s safe to say that none of them would be able to produce anywhere near the quality that the starting trio do.
Origi, as useful as he has been in instances, has consistently failed to capture the imagination of the Liverpool faithful. The Belgian, despite being 25, is yet to nail down a regular place in the side, and considering the direction that this Liverpool team is headed in, Origi breaking into this eleven is looking unlikelier by the day.
What Would Leeds United Be Getting In Divock Origi?
The Belgian international attacker is a centre-forward by position but is more than capable of operating on either flank if required. Often brought into the wide areas by Klopp when coming on as a substitute, the forward offers a decent presence in the final third of the pitch.
Despite not being the best carrier of the ball, Origi’s positioning and finishing ability more than make up for his various shortcomings. The former Lille man scored four times for Liverpool last season, and he tends to have a knack for finding the net at vital moments. With 19 goals to show for his 91 career Premier League appearances, Origi does seem like a reasonable option for Bielsa’s men.
Leeds United Are Interested In Liverpool’s Divock Origi: Should Klopp Cash In?
The Belgian, despite being used as a substitute quite frequently, hasn’t shown anywhere near enough in attack over the last couple of seasons to warrant a place in the eleven. Having been at the club for over four seasons now, it’s safe to say that things aren’t going to get any better for the forward.
Leeds United would be able to offer the former Wolfsburg man certain guarantees when it comes to playing time, and considering the project that’s ongoing at Elland Road, a switch to Bielsa’s side would be in the player’s best interest. Liverpool are now among the most feared teams in all of Europe, and having a player like Origi as their second-choice striker doesn’t live up to the standard that they have set for themselves over recent seasons.
