Roberto Martinez wants Divock Origi to leave Premier League giants Liverpool with the Qatar World Cup now just a year away, as reported by Het Nieuwsblad.
How many of you would read a novel dedicated to Liverpool’s third-choice centre-forward?
Well, Jurgen Klopp obviously feels there is a receptive market for an ‘Origi; My Story’ paperback, even if the Belgian’s biography would make for a somewhat unsatisfying stocking filler on Christmas morning.
It must be said, however, that Origi’s Anfield story is certainly an interesting one.
It’s not often that a man who averages fewer than five starts in a league season can be considered a bonafide club legend. But Origi does not conform to footballing norms.
Happy to sit on the sidelines and wait for his opportunity, the former Lille youngster tends to sieze those rare chances when they come his way.
He certainly did on Saturday afternoon, swivelling on a sixpence and smashing in from Mo Salah’s assist for a 94th minute winner away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Does Divock Origi have a big future at Liverpool?
“He’s an incredible striker,” Klopp beamed after a result which saw Liverpool leapfrog Chelsea in the Premier League table, via Sky Sports.
He’s one of the best finishers I’ve ever seen in my life. In this great team, with our (front) three, he doesn’t play all the time but he is a very positive boy, loves the club, wants to contribute, and he did in an incredible way.
“For different reasons, he has not played that often. But I hope one day he finds a manager that plays him more than I do.”
Roberto Martinez would agree.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, the Belgium manager has been trying ‘for some time’ to convince Origi that he would be better off playing week-in, week-out elsewhere rather than putting a permanent groove into the Liverpool bench.
Origi has not scored a goal for the national team since 2014 – when he was still a Lille player.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
