Liverpool forward Divock Origi has accepted (according to the official Liverpool website) the club’s offer to extend his contract at Anfield. According to ESPN, talks had progressed well between the player and the club with the Reds promising the Belgian striker a more significant role next season following the departure of Daniel Sturridge this summer.
Origi’s Incredible Form For Liverpool Last Season
Origi was a sporadic feature in Jurgen Klopp’s first-team last season, but he still managed to make the most out of his opportunities at the Merseyside club. The former Bundesliga frontman enjoyed a fabulous season at Liverpool after he put in a string of goal-scoring displays off the bench in the previous campaign.
He scored a few memorable goals in front of the loyal Kopites which includes his last-minute winner versus Everton and of course, his UEFA Champions League final strike against Tottenham Hotspur which decided the contest and ensured that Liverpool celebrated their sixth European Cup triumph in history.
The 24-year-old registered eight goals and created two assists in 22 games for the Reds in the last term across all competitions. The ex-LOSC Lille prospect has also represented Belgium in 26 international matches while scoring three goals for his country in the process. Origi is currently playing at his peak, so it seems like a clever move for the Merseyside outfit to extend his contract at Anfield.
However, there is a slight concern regarding the Belgian centre-forward as he has often struggled to find consistency on the field (except for the previous campaign). Thus, Klopp’s decision to retain him for the long-run could turn out to be a gamble that backfires in the future if Origi fails to deliver in the upcoming season.
What Does The Belgian Goal-Getter Add To Klopp’s Team?
The UEFA Champions League winner boasts blistering pace which allows him to be a very penetrative dribbler with the ball in the opposition half. He has also scored quite a few goals in high-pressure matches for Liverpool which goes to show that he has matured as a player and knows what it takes to handle expectations at the highest level.
Extending Origi’s Contract: Good Move By The Reds?
However, the jury is still out on whether Origi can perform at a consistent level as a first-team starter if Klopp requires him to step up at some point in the next campaign. However, the positives outweigh the negatives when it comes to retaining the Belgian striker so it could prove to be an excellent decision by Klopp which could help his side mount another strong title charge in the English top-flight next term.
