Divock Origi to Miss 4-6 Weeks with Ankle Injury

When Divock Origi had to be stretchered off the pitch on Thursday evening following a horror tackle by Everton defender Funes Mori, Liverpool fans feared the worst. By the time the final whistle blew, they knew that at least it wasn’t a broken ankle.

There were still fears that Origi could have torn ligaments in his ankle, and the player would need to undergo scans to determine the extent of them. The results weren’t expected until mid-day on Friday at the earliest, but it now appears fans won’t have to wait that long. And that the news, indeed, isn’t good.

According to multiple reports, including in the Guardian and Mirror, the test results are already in and Origi will miss between four and six weeks. There is ligament damage, and while it is not severe, it is significant and will almost certainly rule him out for the remainder of the season.

At this stage, the remainder of the season likely includes the Europa League final should Liverpool manage to make it past Villarreal over the next two weeks. Even if he were to heal quickly, it’s likely he wouldn’t be match fit, though as with Emre Can there’s a slim chance he could make the bench.

As far as best case scenarios go, though, that isn’t a very good one. Especially when even to get to the point where there’s any chance of Origi playing for Liverpool again this season, the club would have to make it to the Europa League final in Basel on the 18th of May.

The injury again leaves Liverpool with only one fit senior striker in Daniel Sturridge, though Roberto Firmino has shown this season that he can fill in there in a pinch. Christian Benteke could also soon be an option, as last summer’s £32.5M signing nears full fitness following a knee injury.

However, before his injury, Benteke appeared to have fallen behind Sturridge, Origi, and Ings on the depth chart, and it’s unlikely he’ll be walking straight back into the starting eleven. With Liverpool playing twice a week, though, he should at least get a few chances to impress off the bench.

Origi, who just turned 21, has scored 10 goals and 3 assists for Liverpool this season after arriving over the summer from Lille.