A Liverpool forward is making rather a name for himself, but at the expense of a big-money signing.
Divock Origi began his career at Genk before transferring to Lille, whom he scored for on his professional debut back in 2013. A year later, he was signed for £10m by Liverpool, who loaned him back to the outfit from the north of France for the 2014/15 Ligue 1 season. Origi made his international debut for Belgium in 2014, and was part of their team that reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in the same year, during which he became the youngest goalscorer in Belgian World Cup history. That's some going in a short space of time.
His eight goals in all competitions for Liverpool this term actually equals Christian Benteke's current haul, but it is clear that Klopp sees the less-famous Belgian as his preferred option in this battle of compatriots. Klopp's pressing game obviously is completely at odds with Benteke's style of play, whilst Origi is able to adapt to the German's plans.
Klopp surprisingly started Origi ahead of Daniel Sturridge, the team's first-choice striker, during Liverpool's Europa League quarter-final first leg encounter with Borussia Dortmund – his former side - last week. Origi showed his worth however, by scoring a vital away goal in the 1-1 draw. Three days later, he netted two goals in a convincing 4-1 win over Stoke City after coming on as a substitute to replace Sheyi Ojo at half-time.
Speaking after the Stoke game, Origi put arguably the best week of his Liverpool career down to sheer hard work on the training ground and the support his manager:
"I worked hard and now it's starting to pay off," he told Liverpoolfc.com. The fans certainly thought so and showed their appreciation throughout the second half. Reflecting on the fans support, the striker added: "Playing for the Kop and Anfield is wonderful. To be able to score is the best feeling you can have."
"I'm very happy for everybody and these are special moments of my career."
Special for Origi, but not so special for the much-maligned, Belgium international who is currently watching his Liverpool career fade away before his very eyes. The sad thing is that there appears to be nothing he can do about either.
Benteke, signed for £32.5m by Brendan Rodgers last summer, was meant to be the number one striking option for the Anfield club, but bouts of injury and disastrous displays in front of goal have seen Klopp lose patience with the 25-year-old and now mounting speculation surrounds his departure this year and where he will go.
Liverpool legend, Phil Thompson also feels the same way and spoke on Sky Sports: “You don’t need to be an expert or an insider to see that Benteke will be looking to move on in the summer. We’re all trying to read between the lines and I don’t know anything definite but it looks like he’s all but gone."
“I would say for the sake of his own career he needs to leave."
Sturridge has been handed more playing opportunities since his return from injury in October, while Roberto Firmino has impressed as a lone striker.
In contrast, Benteke’s last Premier League start came on January 2 and unless injuries rule out those ahead of him, his most recent start in the red shirt, really could be his final one.
The Belgian will miss the clash with Dortmund on Thursday due to another injury, but time is running out for him to make an impact and change Klopp's mind.
“Obviously it has not been the best season for me here,” Benteke said. “I haven’t played like I want to and that is frustrating but this is part of football. Even though things have not been as I wanted I’m really happy here. Playing for this club is exciting, just like what I thought it would be. Now I want to finish this season well.”
It isn't only Benteke's position at Liverpool that is under threat, but also his international career, with Romelu Lukaku and team-mate Origi will both be ahead of him as the EUROs loom.
Time for Origi to establish himself at Anfield and time for Benteke to move on elsewhere, it would seem.
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