Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on Reds striker Divock Origi, who is enjoying a renaissance of late.
The Northern Irishman bought the Belgian to Anfield in 2014, but the 24-year-old has only really found form in recent weeks, scoring against both Newcastle United and Barcelona.
Rodgers has had his say: “Divock is a big talent,” he said, as per the Liverpool Echo. “He is one that when we signed him, part of the deal was that he had to stay at Lille. He had broken through to the Belgian team as a youngster, showed his talents and we spotted him.
“He is a great talent. He hasn’t been allowed to show it as much as he would like because of the talent that is there, but he has shown his talent in the week and against Newcastle on the weekend as well.”
OPINION
There’s no doubt that it’s taken a long time for Origi to come good at Liverpool. He was signed as a hot prospect way back from Lille having made a big splash for the Belgian national team at a young age. Perhaps supporters thought he would make more of an impact, but it’s taken time for him to find his feet, there’s no doubt about that. However, we are starting to see what he can do when given a run of games. He’s not a top class striker who’s going to get you 20 goals a season, but he doesn’t need to be for Liverpool, does he? He just needs to be a solid back up who can come in and chip in with important goals when required, which he has done this season. He’s been a crucial player for the Reds over the course of this campaign, chipping in with vital strikes against Everton, Newcastle and Barca. Obviously there are three great frontmen ahead of him in the pecking order, but that’s alright. He’s making the most of what game time he has gotten of late.
