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With Daniel Sturridge injured, Raheem Sterling on tired legs, and Mario Balotelli struggling to lead Liverpool's attack as the focal point, there's been an increased focus from Liverpool supporters on Divock Origi. The 19-year-old has had a solid start to the season for Lille, scoring four goals as a regular starter up top. He hasn't been ever-present, often getting rest during weeks with more crowded fixture lists, but he's shown good work rate and continued promise going forward while keeping up a one-in-three scoring record.
That's not an overwhelming return, but with two of his goals coming in quick succession during a relatively dry spell for his parent club, Origi has found himself something of a fan favorite already, and, rightly or wrongly, pegged as a missing piece in Liverpool's attack. The problem is that he's going to be missing for awhile (and that, like Sterling, he's only 19, so expectations and patience, and etc. etc.) given that his loan spell lasts the entirety of the 2014-2015 season, a stipulation that proved critical in Liverpool's ability sign him this past summer.
So we'll have to wait to find out what exactly he can provide when he joins Brendan Rodgers' squad next summer, but for now we can continue to admire from afar--in a normal, scouting way, not a creepy, leering way--as he continues his form for club and country.
On Friday that meant a goal and an assist against an overwhelmed Andorra side in Euro qualifying; Origi was again very good for manager Marc Wilmots, hitting the post early and later scoring one and creating another. Given the quality of the opposition there might not be any lasting conclusions from the performance, but Origi's style and skill going forward were on full display in the hour-plus he featured, keeping up the string of solid displays over the last month.
Belgium are back in action on Monday evening, when they face Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Video by MostarLFC
