Liverpool striker Divock Origi has emerged as an important player for the Reds this season. Origi’s two goals against Barcelona enabled the Reds to overcome a three-goal deficit to progress to the Champions League Final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Origi will enter the final year of his Liverpool contract next season after arriving under former manager Brendan Rodgers for £11.37 million from Lille in 2014.
The Belgian has failed to nail down a first-team place at Liverpool since his arrival and this time last year, he was helping Germany’s Wolfsburg fight off relegation. Liverpool loaned him to the Bundesliga team with the aim of selling him afterwards.
However, Origi was kept on for the season.
The return of Divock Origi
Origi has tallied six goals in 20 appearances this season. His form has led some to claim Liverpool do not need to seek out a forward in the summer to challenge Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah for a place in the team.
However, the pending departure of Daniel Sturridge still means Liverpool need another forward to complement the ones already at Anfield.
According to The Boot Room, manager Jurgen Klopp wants to promote Rhian Brewster to the first team. But that still doesn’t give the Reds proven, high-quality cover at the forward position.
Will Divock Origi receive a new Liverpool contract?
Klopp has given Origi a number of chances this season with many coming at the expense of Sturridge. Origi’s work ethic has kept him in good graces at the club and allowed him to be selected for big games.
Origi’s two goals against Barcelona could see him play in the Champions League Final over Sturridge. It could also see Klopp offer Origi a new contract in the summer to keep the 24-year-old at Anfield past 2020.
Although Liverpool run the risk of losing Origi on a free transfer in a year’s time, HITC claims Origi’s importance and value to the club is more than what they would get in the transfer market.
According to Transfermarkt, Origi is valued at £9m.
Does Divock Origi deserve a new Liverpool contract?
Asked this 12 months ago, I would have said no. But Origi has shown throughout the season that he is an important part to the team.
While Sturridge showed sparks in the early months, he greatly faded away. Origi, on the other hand, continued to prove his worth in limited appearances.
Liverpool are set to lose at least two players this summer in Alberto Moreno and Sturridge. Conflicting reports over James Milner continue to make the rounds over his contract situation as well.
Losing three first-team players in the summer isn’t good after such a great Premier League season. If Milner’s contract is up and he leaves, it will be especially damaging.
Extending a contract to Origi for one or two more years would give continuity to the side. Origi has now performed to a high level in big games and can come off the bench when needed.
Divock Origi’s importance to the club is through the roof right now. He may not be a highly sought-after player by other elite European clubs, but that doesn’t discredit his value to Liverpool.