Liverpool needs to give a lot of credit to Southampton as the Saints have been the shopping market for the Reds over the past few seasons and probably want to give something back to the club struggling at the moment. There are reports of Liverpool planning to sell outcast Divock Origi to Southampton who is facing relegation and would be in dire need of new signings in the summer. After spending a few years with the Merseyside outfit, it could be time for the Belgian to move on now.
It seems like Southampton are no longer the academy club and selling their superstars has finally come back to haunt them as they are on 18th place in the Premier League currently on their way down to the second tier in English football. Even though the Saints are currently just a point behind Swansea in 17th they do not have control over their destiny as they need to depend on other results to ensure their safety.
The Saints are looking to sign Liverpool outcast Divock Origi, who is on loan at German club Wolfsburg. Origi failed to make a massive impact on Jurgen Klopp’s side after one great season with the Reds. The young Belgian was integral in Klopp’s debut season at the helm at Liverpool scoring regularly and helping the club to the Europa League final but missed the encounter against Sevilla which Liverpool ended up losing 3-1.
Origi then lost his place to Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino and then Origi fell further down the pecking order as Daniel Sturridge, Sadio Mane and Danny Ings were preferred to the former Lille man. But during his time in the Bundesliga outfit at Wolfsburg, Origi has made 31 appearances and managed a decent return of five goals and two assists this season. But Origi is still young and does have a bright future ahead of him. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Origi became the youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s history.
Origi is also strong and versatile, he can play anywhere in the front line, on the left right or center of the attack. Under Klopp at Liverpool, Origi was mainly used as a main, sole striker. He is skillful and powerful in the air as well which makes him a threat for set-pieces. Southampton would love to snap him up for a fee of just £9 million in the summer.
The Saints are facing a tough last few Premier League match days which will decide their fate in the Premier League. The main problem for Southampton has been scoring goals in attack. Charlie Austin is currently Southampton’s top scorer with seven strikes this term and the whole club has managed just 35 goals all season. The well-known ‘academy club’ is in dire need of a young energetic goal-scorer and Origi would fit the bill quite perfectly.
For Liverpool, Firmino, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane have been smashing in goals left right and center as Liverpool sit third on the League table. And with the 26-year-old false number nine making the centre-forward spot his own, Origi is likely to be sold when he returns to Anfield.
