OPINION
During a transfer window it is only natural for the focus to be on potential signings, with never-ending rumours emerging every day regarding new targets at every single Premier League club.
However, the summer is also a chance for players who are out of favour with their manager to work their way back into their first-team plans for next season, and Liverpool is no different.
In particular, this summer looks to be a make or break one for striker Divock Origi, who has returned to Anfield from a lacklustre loan spell in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Jurgen Klopp is keen to assess the 23-year-old Belgium international during pre-season as he looks to address the striker shortage set to occur with the departure of Danny Ings.
This is a huge chance for the young striker, and judging by his latest comments, is one that Klopp was absolutely right in granting.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Origi said: “It was a learning season for me [with Wolfsburg]. As a team, we had a difficult season with a lot of changes, but we fought until the end and managed to stay in the league. It was a bit of a change of scenario; I learned a lot mentally and grew a lot. I think I’ve come back more mature.
“On and off the pitch last season, I think grew a lot. I tried to keep fit during the off-season and now I am very excited for the new season.”
These comments show a new maturity to Origi, and illustrate that he is really thinking about his game a lot more after a mediocre season at Wolfsburg in which he scored just seven times in all competitions.
There comes a time in every young players’ career in which they must mature or be left behind, and this is that time in Origi’s footballing life.
Hopefully the Belgium international can put these words into action during pre-season and show Klopp that he is ready to make an impact at Anfield once again.
Let’s not forget that this was a young man who came in and netted ten goals in all competitions in his first season in England before following that up with 11 goals the following campaign.
Those are impressive numbers for someone so young, and while Origi has not pushed on since then, there is no reason why he cannot go on to net 15 goals in 2018/19 as part of this dangerous Liverpool attack.
On the evidence so far, Klopp is right in handing him this make-or-break shot, and the Reds are in line to see a new Divock Origi next season.
